LED light communication system

ABSTRACT

An LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver, the optical transceiver including a light support and a processor. The light support has a plurality of light emitting diodes and at least one photodetector attached thereto, the light emitting diodes receiving power from a power source. The processor is in communication with the light emitting diodes and the at least one photodetector, the processor capable of illuminating the light emitting diodes to simultaneously create at least one first light signal, and at least one second light signal, the first light signal being observable to the unaided eyes of an individual and the second light signal not being observable to the unaided eyes of the individual. The second light signal includes at least one data packet. The at least one data packet comprises global positioning system (GPS) location information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application from U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/479,556 filed May 24, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat.No. 8,902,076 on Dec. 2, 2014, which is a continuation application fromU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/126,529 filed May 23, 2008 issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,188,878 on May 29, 2012, which claims priority toprovisional patent application No. 60/931,611, filed May 24, 2007, thedisclosure all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.U.S. Pat. No. 8,188,878 is also a continuation-in-part of patentapplication Ser. No. 12/032,908, filed Feb. 18, 2008, now abandoned,which is continuation of patent application Ser. No. 11/433,979, filedMay 15, 2006, now abandoned, which is a continuation of patentapplication Ser. No. 11/102,989, filed Apr. 11, 2005, now issued U.S.Pat. No. 7,046,160, which is a division of patent application Ser No.09/993,040, filed Nov. 14, 2001, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,263,which claims the benefit of provisional patent application No.60/248,894, filed Nov. 15, 2000, the entire contents of each beingexpressly incorporated herein by reference. This application alsoincorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/646,853,filed Aug. 22, 2003, U.S. Pat. No. 7,439,847, which claims the benefitof provisional patent application Nos. 60/405,592 and 60/405,379, bothfiled Aug. 23, 2002, the disclosures of all three being expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention is generally directed tolight emitting diodes (LEDs) and applications thereof. In particular,some embodiments of the present invention are directed to using LEDs andpower line communication technology to provide internet access andcommunication capability to residential and commercial clientele.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present communication techniques using radiofrequency (RF) suffer from anumber of problems. First, there are security concerns becausetransmissions using RF can be easily intercepted, in part because of thefact that RF signals are designed to radiate signals in all directions.Second, the heavy regulation by the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) and its control of the frequencies that may be used for RFtransmission often present daunting challenges to RF broadcasters.Third, RF by its very nature is susceptible to interference and producesnoise.

In contrast to RF communications, light sources used for communicationare extremely secure due to the fact that they are focused within anarrow beam, requiring placing equipment within the beam itself forinterception. Also, because the visible spectrum is not regulated by theFCC, light sources can be used for communications purposes without theneed of a license. And, light sources are not susceptible tointerference nor do they produce noise that can interfere with otherdevices.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used as light sources for datatransmission, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,879,263 and 7,046,160,the entire contents of each being expressly incorporated herein byreference. LEDs have quick response to “ON” and “OFF” signals, ascompared to the longer warm-up and response times associated withfluorescent lighting, for example. LEDs are also efficient in producinglight, as measured in lumens per watt. Recent developments in LEDtechnology, such as high brightness blue LEDs, which in turn paved theway for white LEDs, have made LEDs a practical alternative toconventional light sources. As such, LED technology provides a practicalopportunity to combine lighting and communication. This combination oflighting and communication allows ubiquitous light sources such asstreet lights, home lighting, and office building lighting, for example,to be converted to, or supplemented with, LED technology to provide forcommunications while simultaneously producing light for illuminationpurposes.

Regarding office buildings, building management is a complex sciencewhich incorporates and governs all facets of human, mechanical andstructural systems associated with buildings. As a result of thecomplexity, most commercial buildings are managed by commercial propertymanagement companies with great expertise. Both at the time ofconstruction and throughout the life-cycle of a building, theinterrelationships between people and the mechanical and structuralsystems are most desirably evaluated. Where possible and cost-effective,human interactions with a building and associated mechanical systemswill be optimized, in turn providing the greatest benefit to both theowners and those who use the facilities afforded by the building.Noteworthy is the fact that building users may include both regularoccupants such as individual or commercial tenants, and also transientoccupants such as visitors, guests, or commercial customers.

Building management includes diverse facets, some which are simplyrepresentations of the building and associated systems and people, andother facets which are tangible. Exemplary of representations areaccounting or financial monitoring responsibilities which will includingrecord keeping control and assurance of financial transactions involvingtenants, owners, and service providers. Exemplary of the physical ortangible responsibilities are physical development and maintenance,including identification of need for features, improvements, maintenanceand the assurance of the execution of the same. As is well understood bythose highly versed in building management, the diverse responsibilitiesand extent of information required to manage a building is often quiteoverwhelming.

One very important area associated with building management is lightingor illumination. While often perceived as a simple task of providinglights, this seemingly simple task has much research and science behinda well-designed lighting system. This is because safety, productivityand general well-being of occupants depend heavily on proper lighting.

Many factors need considered at the time of construction or remodelingto facilitate proper lighting design. Intended usage of a space isimportant in illumination design consideration, since this will dictatenecessary illumination levels, times and duration of use, andanticipated cycling of the illumination. In other words, a supply closetwill not ordinarily be designed for around-the-clock illumination, andmay instead by configured to operate on a switch, or alternatively amotion detector with relatively short-delay turn-off when no motion isdetected. The use of appropriate switches and motion detectors helps toreduce the energy required for a building to function with occupants,and simultaneously increases the life of many illumination componentssuch as light sources (light bulbs and equivalents thereto) since thelight sources are only required intermittently. As another example, aroom where movies, slides, computer or other visual or audio-visualpresentations are given, such as a boardroom or classroom, willpreferably have light controls such as separate switches or switches anddimmer controls which enable the entire room to be well lit oralternatively maintain a minimum level of illumination normally oppositeto where the presentation is displayed. This minimum level ofillumination enables occupants sufficient light for note-taking, safemovement and other important activities, without interfering with thelegibility of a presentation. In yet another example, a primarywork-space such as a desk or kitchen counter will require illuminationthat does not cast shadows on the work space while work is beingperformed. Complementary illumination, such as windows or skylights, isalso important in design consideration.

Nearly all public buildings rely on a great many lamps positionedthroughout the interior of the building, such as along hall corridorsand in each room, and also about the exterior. These lights havehistorically been activated manually, though more recently a small butgrowing number are activated according to occupancy, proximity or motionsensors, typically incorporating the well-known Infra-Red (IR) motionsensors. Architects are commonly employed to assist not only with afloor plan of physical spaces, but also with the proper selection andlayout of lighting to best complement the floor plan and usage of eachspace within a building. As may be appreciated, illumination of a spaceis determined at the time of production of blueprints, in anticipationof construction. The illumination that has been chosen for a space isessentially fixed during building construction. Changes may be madelater, but not without substantial additional expense that will, forexemplary purposes, often include removal of parts of or entire walls,with the accompanying disruption of the space. Often the space isunavailable for use during the entire duration of a remodeling project.

Further complicating the issue of illumination is the type of light bulbthat may be most appropriate for a space or location. Original electriclight bulbs were incandescent. With sufficient electrical energy, whichis converted to heat within an incandescent bulb filament, the filamentwill emit visible light. This is similar to a fire, where with enoughheat, visible light is produced. As might also be appreciated though,incandescent bulbs produce far more heat than light. The color of thelight from these bulbs is also most commonly quite yellow, casting awarm hue at a color temperature typically in the vicinity of 3,000degrees Kelvin. Warm hues are often prized in relaxed settings such asthose of a living room or dining room, more closely resembling gentlecandle light. However, in contrast thereto, work and study environmentsare more preferably illuminated with light of more blue content, moreclosely resembling daylight with color temperatures of approximately6,000 degrees Kelvin. Daylight color temperatures are not practicallyobtained using an incandescent bulb. In addition, these incandescentbulbs have only a few thousand hour life expectancy, even with more thana century of improvements, because the extreme temperatures required forthe filament to light also gradually evaporates the filament material.Finally, the thermal mass of the filament greatly influences how quicklythe filament both illuminates and extinguishes. In spite of the manylimitations, incandescent bulbs are still in fairly wide-spread usetoday.

An alternative to incandescent light bulbs in common use today is thefluorescent bulb. A fluorescent light bulb uses a small amount ofmercury in vapor state. High voltage electricity is applied to themercury gas, causing the gas to ionize and generate some visible light,but primarily UltraViolet (UV) light. UV light is harmful to humans,being the component that causes sun burns, so the UV component of thelight must be converted into visible light. The inside of a fluorescenttube is coated with a phosphorescent material, which when exposed toultraviolet light glows in the visible spectrum. This is similar to manyglow-in-the-dark toys and other devices that incorporate phosphorescentmaterials. As a result, the illumination from a fluorescent light willcontinue for a significant time, even after electrical power isdiscontinued, which for the purposes of the present disclosure will beunderstood to be the latent period or latency between the change inpower status and response by the phosphor. As the efficiencies andbrightness of the phosphors has improved, so in many instances have thedelays in illumination and extinguishing, or latency, increased. Throughthe selection of ones of many different modern phosphorescent coatingsat the time of manufacture, fluorescent bulbs may be manufactured thatproduce light from different parts of the spectrum, resulting inmanufacturing control of the color temperature, or hue or warmness of abulb.

The use of fluorescent bulbs, even though quite widespread, iscontroversial for several reasons. One source states that all pre-1979light ballasts emit highly toxic Polychlorinated BiPhenyls (PCBs). Evenif modern ballasts are used, fluorescent bulbs also contain a small butfinite amount of mercury. Even very small amounts of mercury aresufficient to contaminate a property. Consequently, both the manufactureand disposal of mercury-containing fluorescent tubes is hazardous.Fluorescent lighting has also been alleged to cause chemical reactionsin the brain and body that produce fatigue, depression,immuno-suppression, and reduced metabolism. Further, while the phosphormaterials may be selected to provide hue or color control, this hue isfixed at the time of manufacture, and so is not easily changed to meetchanging or differing needs for a given building space.

Other gaseous discharge bulbs such as halide, mercury or sodium vaporlamps have also been devised. Halide, mercury and sodium vapor lampsoperate at higher temperatures and pressures, and so present undesirablygreater fire hazards. In addition, these bulbs present a possibility ofexposure to harmful radiation from undetected ruptured outer bulbs.Furthermore, mercury and sodium vapor lamps generally have very poorcolor-rendition-indices, meaning the light rendered by these bulbs isquite different from ordinary daylight, distorting human colorperception. Yet another set of disadvantages has to do with the startingor lighting of these types of bulbs. Mercury and sodium vapor lamps bothexhibit extremely slow starting times, often measured by many minutes.The in-rush currents during starting are also commonly large. Many ofthe prior art bulbs additionally produce significant and detrimentalnoise pollution, commonly in the form of a hum or buzz at the frequencyof the power line alternating current. In some cases, such asfluorescent lights, ballasts change dimension due to magnetostrictiveforces. Magnetic field leakage from the ballast may undesirably coupleto adjacent conductive or ferromagnetic materials, resulting in magneticforces as well. Both types of forces will generate undesirable sound.Additionally, in some cases a less-optimal bulb may also produce abuzzing sound.

When common light bulbs are incorporated into public and privatefacilities, the limitations of prior art bulb technologies often willadversely impact building occupants. As just one example, in one schoolthe use of full-spectrum lamps in eight experimental classroomsdecreased anxiety, depression, and inattention in students with SAD(Seasonal Affective Disorder). The connection between lighting andlearning has been conclusively established by numerous additionalstudies. Mark Schneider, with the National Clearinghouse for EducationalFacilities, declares that ability to perform requires “clean air, goodlight, and a quiet, comfortable, and safe learning environment.”Unfortunately, the flaws in much of the existing lighting have been madeworse as buildings have become bigger. The foregoing references toschools will be understood to be generally applicable to commercial andmanufacturing environments as well, making even the selection of typesof lights and color-rendition-indexes very important, again dependingupon the intended use for a space. Once again, this selection will befixed, either at the time of construction when a particular lightingfixture is installed, or at the time of bulb installation, either in anew fixture or with bulb replacements.

A second very important area associated with building management isenergy management. The concern for energy management is driven by theexpense associated with energy consumed over the life of a building.Energy management is quite challenging to design into a building,because many human variables come into play within different areaswithin a building structure. Considering the foregoing discussion oflighting, different occupants will have different preferences andhabits. Some occupants may regularly forget to turn off lights when aspace is no longer being occupied, thereby wasting electricity anddiminishing the useful life of the light bulbs. In another instance, oneoccupant may require full illumination for that occupant to operateefficiently or safely within a space, while a second occupant might onlyrequire a small amount or local area of illumination. Furthercomplicating the matter of energy management is the fact that manycommercial establishments may have rates based upon peak usage. Abusiness with a large number of lights that are controlled with a commonswitch may have peak demands large relative to total consumption ofpower, simply due to the relatively large amount of power that will rushin to the circuit. Breaking the circuit into several switches may notadequately address inrush current, since a user may switch more than oneswitch at a time, such as by sliding a hand across several switches atonce. Additionally, during momentary or short-term power outages, thestart-up of electrical devices by the power company is known to causemany problems, sometimes harming either customer equipment or powercompany devices. Control over inrush current is therefore verydesirable, and not economically viable in the prior art.

Energy management also includes consideration for differences intemperature preferred by different occupants or for differentactivities. For exemplary purposes, an occupant of a first office spacewithin a building may prefer a temperature close to 68 degreesFahrenheit, while a different occupant in a second office space mayprefer a temperature close to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The first andsecond office spaces may even be the same office space, just atdifferent times of day. For exemplary purposes, an employee working in amail room from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. may be replaced by a different mailroom employee who works from 4 p.m. until 12 a.m. Heating, Ventilation,and Air Conditioning (HVAC) demand or need is dependent not only uponthe desired temperature for a particular occupant, but also upon thenumber of occupants within a relatively limited space. In other words, asmall room with many people will require more ventilation and lessheating than that same room with only one occupant.

With careful facility design, considerable electrical and thermal energycan be saved. Proper management of electrical resources affects everyindustry, including both tenants and building owners. In the prior art,this facility design has been limited to selection of very simple orbasic switches, motion detectors, and thermostats, and particularlights, all fixed at the time of design, construction or installation.

A third very important area associated with building management issecurity. Continuing to use a school as but one example of a publicbuilding, a one-room country school fifty years ago was made up of oneteacher who knew well the small number of pupils. Security consisted ofa simple padlock on a wooden door. The several windows on one side ofthe room provided light. They were locked but almost never broken into,for nothing of major value, even during the Depression, enticedpotential thieves.

Architecture changed as the years passed. Buildings were enlarged asschool populations increased. Students started to conceal books,outerwear, valuables, and occasionally even weapons in enclosed lockers.Indoor lighting was required. Eventually as society became morehazardous, security had to be provided in many schools in the form ofpersonnel who were required to patrol both outside and inside schools inorder to provide a measure of safety.

In many public buildings, including schools, modern security presentlyscreens a building's occupants to ensure that they belong or have properauthorization to enter the building. Security must also check forweapons, drugs, and even explosives. Thus, modern security personnel areoften responsible for property as well as people. As the types ofpotential perils increase, so does the need for personnel, to processoccupants through more and more stations. For exemplary purposes, inschools, airports, court houses, and other public facilities, one ormore guards may check identification, admission badges or paperwork,while one or more other guards monitor metal detectors. One or moreadditional guards may be monitoring drug sniffing dogs or equipment, orspot checking bags. Unfortunately, the possibilities of duplicationand/or forgery of credentials, or of hostile powers infiltratingsecurity, or other criminal methods demonstrate the potential weaknessesof the present system, which depends upon a large number of securityemployees. Motion sensors and other prior art electronic securitymeasures, while often beneficial, occasionally fail even when used incombination with security personnel to provide adequate protection. Onthe outside of a building, motion sensors may be activated by strongwinds, stray animals, passing vehicles, or blowing debris. Inside, theyoperate only for a specific time; a room's occupant, if not movingabout, may suddenly be in the dark and must re-activate the light bywaving or flailing about.

An increasingly complex, and therefore hazardous, society requiresincreasingly extensive patrols and safeguards. Current security system,which must rely on increasing the numbers of guards and securitydevices, are subject to inherent defects and extraordinary expense,generally rendering them inadequate even with the best of intention.

Yet another very important area associated with building management isguidance control and indication, which impacts building security, aswell as building convenience and efficiency for occupants. In buildingshaving many alternative hallways or paths, such as are commonly found inhospitals and other large public facilities, directions are often clumsyand difficult for visitors or emergency personnel to follow.Old-fashioned directories may be hard to locate or decipher, especiallyfor non-English speakers or for persons with little or no time, againsuch as emergency personnel. Consequently, some buildings provide colorstripes along walls that serve as color coding to guide visitors tovarious areas within the building. Unfortunately, the number of colorstripes that may be patterned is quite limited, and the expense anddefacing of appearance associated therewith is undesirable. Furthermore,such striping does not completely alleviate confusion, and the colorstripes can only serve as general guides to commonly visited areas.

In addition to their numerous uses with building management, LEDs can beused in networking applications. In any network, a variety of clientdevices will communicate with one or more host devices. The host mayprovide connection to a Local Area Network (LAN), sometimes referred toas an Intranet, owing to the common use of such a network entirelywithin an office space, building, or business. The host may additionallyor alternatively provide connection to a Wide Area Network (WAN),commonly describing a network coupling widely separated physicallocations which are connected together through any suitable connection,including for exemplary purposes but not solely limited thereto suchmeans as fiber optic links, T1 lines, Radio Frequency (RF) linksincluding cellular telecommunications links, satellite connections, DSLconnections, or even Internet connections. Generally, where more publicmeans such as the Internet are used, secured access will commonlyseparate the WAN from general Internet traffic. The host may furtherprovide access to the Internet.

A variety of client devices have heretofore been enabled to connect tohost devices. Such client devices may commonly include computing devicesof all sorts, ranging from hand-held devices such as Personal DigitalAssistants (PDAs) to massive mainframe computers, and including PersonalComputers (PCs). However, over time many more devices have been enabledfor connection to network hosts, including for exemplary purposesprinters, network storage devices, cameras, other security and safetydevices, appliances, HVAC systems, manufacturing machinery, and soforth. Essentially, any device which incorporates or can be made toincorporate sufficient electronic circuitry may be so linked as a clientto a host.

Existing client devices are designed to connect to host network accesspoints through wired connections, like copper wire, for example, fiberoptic connections, or as wireless connections, such as wireless routers.In the case of a wired system, whether through simple wire, twistedwire, co-axial cable, fiber optics or other line or link, the host andclient are tethered together through this physical communicationschannel. The tether, as may be appreciated, limits movement of theclient relative to the host, is often unsightly and hard to contain in aworkspace, and so may even be or become a tripping hazard. In addition,electrical connectors such as jacks must be provided, and theseconnectors necessarily limit the number of access points and locations.The installation of connectors defaces walls, sometimes rendering themunsuitable for a particular desired application, and yet they addundesirable installation expense, whether during new construction or inretrofitting an existing building structure.

In contrast, in the case of wireless routers, an RF signal replaces thephysical communications channel with a radio channel. Thisadvantageously eliminates the wire or fiber tether between client andhost. Instead, client devices in a wireless system try through variousbroadcasts and signal receptions to find an access point that will haveadequate transmission and reception, generally within a certain signalrange which may range from a few meters to as many as several tens ofmeters. The systems are programmed to bridge from a host access point tovarious client devices through known exchanges of information, commonlydescribed as communications protocols or handshakes. Depending upon thecommunications channel, a variety of client connection devices areutilized such as PCMCIA or PC cards, serial ports, parallel ports, SIMMcards, USB connectors, Ethernet cards or connectors, firewireinterfaces, Bluetooth compatible devices, infrared/IrDA devices, andother known or similar components.

The security of these prior art wireless devices can be compromised inthat they are vulnerable to unauthorized access or interception, and theinterception may be from a significant distance, extending often wellbeyond physical building and property boundaries. Moreover, reliabilitycan be hindered by interference from an appliance such as a microwaveoven.

Buildings can encompass a very large number of rooms or discrete spaces,each functioning relatively independently from each other. Where therooms or discrete spaces together form a larger entity such as abusiness, public institution or facility, or the like, which haveattempted to include synchronized time keeping throughout the entity. Alarge number of buildings, both public and private, have synchronizedclocks installed therein.

These same buildings also have a number of additional featuresincluding, for exemplary purposes though not limited thereto, fire andsmoke detection, temperature control, and public address. Because of theever-changing nature of a building and the best practices associatedtherewith, it can be quite difficult if not impossible to keep all areaswithin a building up to date with best practices or preferredcapabilities. One method of desirable features or capabilities within abuilding space is through the use of electrical wiring adequate toaccommodate the features or capabilities, particularly when the featuresor capabilities are identified subsequent to original construction.

For exemplary purposes, a building may accommodate very differentnumbers of occupants at different times within a relatively enclosedspace, such as a meeting or class room. The number of occupants is knownto significantly alter the temperature and associated need for HVACcontrol. Furthermore, other factors, such as weather conditions andsunlight or lack thereof through windows in a room may have as much orgreater effect on the need for HVAC control. However, many olderbuildings were only provided with a single central thermostat, providingthe same amount of heating or air conditioning to a room or other spaceregardless of demand for the same. Newer HVAC systems enable control,through electrically controlled dampers or vents within the HVAC systemto much more precisely respond to the needs of a single space or roomwithin a building. However, without providing wiring within the room toaccommodate the thermostat and various duct controls, the room may notbe individually controlled.

Even where a building is originally provided with appropriate wiring foreach electrical system or component desired, necessary remodeling maycritically alter the need. As one example, consider when a room or spaceis subdivided into two smaller spaces. Existing wiring only provides forelectrical connection to one set of devices for one room. In this case,it may be necessary to run new wires back to one or more centrallocations, utility rooms, or the like to accommodate the new room anddevices within the room.

More buildings are incorporating wireless networks within the building,the networks which are intended to reduce the need for wiringalterations and additions practiced heretofore. However, these wirelessnetworks are not contained within the walls of a building, and so theyare subject to a number of limitations. One of these is the lack ofspecific localization of a signal and device. For exemplary purposes,even a weak Radio-Frequency (RF) transceiver, in order to communicatereliably with all devices within a room, will have a signal pattern thatwill undoubtedly cross into adjacent rooms. If only one room or space ina building is to be covered, this signal overlap is without consequence.However, when many rooms are to be covered by different transceivers,signal overlap between transceivers requires more complex communicationssystems, including incorporating techniques such as access control anddevice selection based upon identification. Since the radio signal isinvisible, detection of radiant pattern and signal strength aredifficult and require special instruments. Further, detection ofinterference is quite difficult. Finally, such systems are subject tooutside tapping and corruption, since containment of the signal ispractically impossible for most buildings.

The art referred to and/or described above is not intended to constitutean admission that any patent, publication or other information referredto herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition,this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been madeor that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. §1.56(a)exists.

All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documentsmentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, a brief summary of some ofthe claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additionaldetails of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additionalembodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description ofthe Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification isprovided for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. §1.72.

General Description of the Invention

The present application is also related to the patent applicationentitled “LED Light Dongle Communication System,” patent applicationSer. No. 12/126,227, filed May 23, 2008, issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,687,965, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Also, the present application is related to the patent applicationentitled “Building Illumination Apparatus with IntegratedCommunications, Security and Energy Management,” patent application Ser.No. 12/126,342, filed May 23, 2008, now abandoned, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Also the present application isrelated to the patent application entitled “LED Light Interior Room andBuilding Communication System,” patent application Ser. No. 12/126,647,filed May 23, 2008, now abandoned, which is incorporated by referenceherein it its entirety. Further, the present application is also relatedto the patent application entitled “LED Light Broad Band Over Power LineCommunication System,” patent application Ser. No. 12/126,469, filed May23, 2008, now abandoned, which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. The present application is also related to the patentapplication entitled “LED Light Global Positioning And RoutingCommunication System,” patent application Ser. No. 12/126,589, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,188,879 on May 29, 2012, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

According to the invention, there is provided a light emitting diode(LED) communication system which may be depicted in several embodiments.In general, the light communication system may be formed of a singlerow, single source, or an array of light emitting diode light sourcesconfigured on a light support and in electrical communication with acontroller and a power supply, battery, or other electrical source. Thepulsed light communication system may provide various light signals,colored light signals, or combination or patterns of light signals foruse in association with the communication of information. These lightsignals may also be encoded. Additionally, the light communicationsystem may be capable of displaying symbols, characters, or arrows.Rotating and oscillating light signals may be produced by sequentiallyilluminating columns of LEDs on a stationary light support incombination with the provision of variable light intensity from thecontroller. However, the pulsed light communication system may also berotated or oscillated via mechanical means. The light communicationsystem may also be easily transportable and may be convenientlyconnected to a stand such as a tripod for electrical coupling to a powersupply, battery, or other electrical source as a remote stand-alonesignaling or communication device.

The light communication system may be electrically coupled to acontroller used to modulate, pulse, or encode, the light generated fromthe light sources to provide for various patterns or types ofillumination to transmit messages.

Individual light supports as a portion of the LED communication systemmay be positioned adjacent to, and/or be in electrical communicationwith another light support, through the use of suitable electricalconnections. Alternatively, individual light supports may be incommunication with each other exclusively through the transmission andreceipt of pulsed light signals.

A plurality of light supports or solitary light sources may beelectrically coupled in either a parallel or series manner to acontroller. The controller is also preferably in electricalcommunication with the power supply and the LEDs, to regulate ormodulate the light intensity for the LED light sources. The individualLEDs and/or arrays of LEDs may be used for transmission of communicationpackets formed of light signals.

The controller for the LED light support may generate and/or recognizelight signals used to communicate information. The LED light system mayalso include a receptor coupled to the controller, where the receptor isconstructed and arranged for receipt of pulsed LED light signals forconversion to digital information, and for transfer of the digitalinformation to the controller for analysis and interpretation. Thecontroller may then issue a light signal or other communication signalto an individual to communicate the content of received informationtransmitted via a pulsed LED light carrier.

Some embodiments of the present invention utilize an existing masterclock that regulates or synchronizes additional slave clocks within abuilding. Because all of the clocks in the system operate on a dedicatednetwork, the master clock is already connected to all of the rooms orspaces within the building having slave clocks. The present inventioncouples through the synchronization wire to each room or space.Communications are achieved that connect all rooms in a building thathave these master and slave clocks, without changing wiring. Also sincethese synchronized clocks have dedicated electrical wiring for thesynchronization signal that is separated from the AC power wiring, thesynchronization wire is not subject to such severe interference as mightbe found on the building's AC power wiring.

In some embodiments of the present invention a clock with an opticaltransceiver delivers network access by way of LED transceivers. Since inmany buildings clock systems with synchronization wiring is already inplace, there is no need to install additional expensive and inconvenientwiring.

In some embodiments of the present invention a clock with an opticaltransceiver is integrated into systems, such as security, safety, HVACand other diverse functions. In some embodiments of the presentinvention a clock with an optical transceiver provides for several typesof communications with a room and electrical devices therein, includingaudible, visual and optical LED communications. In some embodiments ofthe present invention a clock with an optical transceiver improvessecurity, because light does not go through walls, in contrast to radiocommunications, and steps can be taken to obstruct visible transmissionswith a much greater certainty than with radio waves. In some embodimentsof the present invention a clock with an optical transceiver limits ordirects visible light by known optical components such as lenses andreflectors to selectively narrow the radiant transmission energy, asopposed to omni-directional transmissions. In some embodiments of thepresent invention a clock with an optical transceiver reducesinterference with existing communication systems like those that arecommon today. In some embodiments of the present invention a clock withan optical transceiver facilitates and simplifies set-up, testing,troubleshooting and the like with respect to various facility systems.In some embodiments of the present invention a clock with an opticaltransceiver generates relatively high energy outputs using the preferredvisible light communications channel, since the human eye is adapted andwell-protected against damage from visible light. In contrast, manyinvisible transmission techniques such as Ultraviolet (UV) or Infra-Red(IR) systems have much potential for harm.

These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointedout with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a parthereof. However, for further understanding of the invention, itsadvantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be madeto the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanyingdescriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and describedembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the LED CommunicationSystem.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System transmitter/receiver.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System transmitter/receiver.

FIGS. 8A-8D are various views of a USB dongle device using an LED lightand communication system.

FIG. 8E is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the USB Dongledevice using an LED light and communication system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 10A is an environmental view of an alternative embodiment of theLED Communication System.

FIG. 10B is a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of a securitybadge.

FIG. 10C is a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment of an LED lightsource.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System, depicting an energy management scheme.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System, depicting light sources in communication with abroadband over power line service.

FIG. 13 is an environmental view of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a data packet.

FIG. 15 is an environmental view of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 16 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 17 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 18 is an environmental view of an alternative embodiment of the LEDCommunication System.

FIG. 19 is an environmental and block diagram view of an alternativeembodiment of the LED Communication System.

FIG. 20 is an exploded isometric view of an alternative collimatorassembly and modular LED light source;

FIG. 21 is an alternative partial cut away isometric view of analternative collimator assembly and LED light source;

FIG. 22 is an alternative detailed partial cut away view of a strip LEDlight source;

FIG. 23 is an alternative detailed view of an LED light source havingsectors;

FIG. 24 is a front view of a traffic semaphore and pulsed light OPTICOMsystem;

FIG. 24A is an environmental view of an emergency vehicle and pulsedlight OPTICOM system;

FIG. 24B is an alternative top environmental view of an emergencyvehicle and pulsed light system;

FIG. 25 is an environmental view of an LED pulsating light signalbetween two vehicles;

FIG. 26 is an environmental detail view of a license plate LED pulsatinglight signal system;

FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional top view of a license plate LEDpulsating light signal system;

FIG. 28 is an environmental view of an LED pulsating light signal in anairport environment;

FIG. 29 is an environmental view of an LED pulsating light signal andmarine environment;

FIG. 30 is an environmental view of an LED pulsating light signal andurban environment;

FIG. 31 is an environmental view of an LED pulsating light signal andrailroad crossing;

FIG. 32 is a detailed view of an LED pulsating light signal and railroadcrossing indicator;

FIG. 33 is an environmental partial cross-sectional side view of an LEDSIT-TEL pulsating light signal and subway environment;

FIG. 34 is a partial cut away view of a flare having an LEDcommunication system;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a flare having an LED communicationsystem;

FIG. 36 is an environmental view of a flare having an LED communicationsystem;

FIG. 37 is an environmental view of an LED pulsating light signal andsnowplow;

FIG. 38 is an environmental view of a dashboard and pulsed lightsignaling system engaged to an emergency vehicle;

FIG. 39 is an alternative partial phantom line view of a pulsed lightsignaling system;

FIG. 40 is an alternative partial phantom line view of a pulsed lightsignaling system;

FIG. 41 is an environmental view of the controller of the pulsed lightsignaling system within the cockpit of an aircraft;

FIG. 42 is a detailed alternative view of the hand held pulsed lightsignaling system;

FIG. 43 is a detailed view of the LED pulsed light communication system;

FIG. 43A is an alternative detailed view of the LED pulsed lightcommunication system;

FIG. 43B is an alternative detailed view of the LED pulsed lightcommunication system;

FIG. 43C is an alternative detailed view of the LED pulsed lightcommunication system; and

FIGS. 44A-C constitute a block diagram of the operation of the first,second, and third controllers within the LED pulsed light communicationsystem.

FIG. 45 illustrates by isometric projected view a first embodiment of aslave clock combined with optical transmitter and receiver in accordwith the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 46 illustrates by isometric projected view a second embodiment of aslave clock combined with optical transmitter and receiver in accordwith the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 47 illustrates by projected environmental view an embodiment of acommunications network incorporating master and slave synchronizedclocks.

FIG. 48 illustrates by front environmental view an embodiment of abuilding communication and management system within one room or space,using a single slave clock to communicate with a variety of diversedevices through optical LED communication channels.

FIG. 49 illustrates by block diagram an electrical schematic of acommunications network incorporating master and slave synchronizedclocks such as illustrated by FIG. 47, but with only one slave clockillustrated therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there aredescribed in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of theinvention. This description is an exemplification of the principles ofthe invention and is not intended to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in thefigures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.

In each of the embodiments discussed below, the LEDs may be formed ofthe same or different colors. The controller may be configured to selectthe color of the LEDs to be illuminated forming the light signal.

It is also envisioned that the controller may control supports havingmultiple sides, such that each side is capable of producing lightsignals or combinations of light signals that are independent and/ordifferent from those produced upon the other sides.

In one embodiment, the controller may regulate the illumination of theLED light sources individually, or in combination, to provide a desiredlight signal or LED signal. Also, the controller may illuminate the LEDlight sources independently with respect to an opposite side of asupport to provide different light effects to be observed by anindividual dependant upon the location of the person relative to thelight source. The controller may also simultaneously or independentlyregulate the light intensity for the LED illumination sources.

In the embodiments disclosed herein, the controller may also regulateand/or modulate the duty cycle for the light sources, thereby varyingthe intensity of the observed light. The controller may be utilized tosimultaneously provide modulated or variable light intensity todifferent and/or independent sections, areas, and/or sectors 326 of alight source (FIG. 23). Also, the controller may be utilized tosimultaneously provide modulated or variable light intensity todifferent and/or independent sectors, areas, and/or sections 326 of theforward facing side or rearward facing side of a light support for theprovision of different light signals, or a different light effects, oneach side.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment 110 of an LED light andcommunication system. FIG. 1 shows a server PC 112 connected via a USBcable 114 to a server optical transceiver (XCVR) 116, and a client PC118 connected via a USB cable 120 to a client optical transceiver 122.The server PC 112 is in communication with a network 123 via a CAT-5cable, for example. The server optical XCVR and the client optical XCVRare substantially similar in at least one embodiment. An exemplaryoptical XCVR (or, simply, “XCVR”) circuit includes one or more LEDs 124for transmission of light and one or more photodetectors 126 forreceiving transmitted light. LEDs and photodetectors are known and, assuch, their specific operation will not be described in detail. The term“photodetector” includes “photodiodes” and all other devices capable ofconverting light into current or voltage. The terms photodetector andphotodiode are used interchangeably hereafter. The use of the termphotodiode is not intended to restrict embodiments of the invention fromusing alternative photodetectors that are not specifically mentionedherein.

In at least one embodiment, the XCVR circuit may include an RS232 to USBconversion module. The transmit pin on the USB conversion module drivesthe driver electronics for the LEDs. In some embodiments, the XCVRcircuit includes high intensity LEDs. In some embodiments it may bedesirable to use high intensity LEDs to enhance lighting, to improvedata transmission, or both. In at least one embodiment, a 12 volt DC, 3amp power supply is sufficient for powering an array of high intensityLEDs.

In some embodiments, the XCVR circuit further includes an amplifier foramplifying the optical signal received by the photodiode. The output ofthe amplifier may be fed into level shifting circuitry to raise thesignal to TTL levels, for example. The signal is then fed into thereceive pin of the RS232 to USB module.

In some embodiments, a 9V battery can be used to power the amplifiercircuitry. Significant noise is generated by switching high brightnessLEDs on and off at 200 mA and 500 kbps, for example. Powering theamplifier with a battery can reduce these noise problems by reducing orremoving transients.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, the LED can both emit andreceive light. In such an embodiment, the LED can act both as atransmitter or receiver. More information on such bi-directional LEDscan be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,072,587, the entire contents of whichare expressly incorporated herein by reference.

The XCVR circuit can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongle, such asshown in FIGS. 8A-8D, or similar device that is plugged into a laptopcomputer or other USB-configured device. The dongle, or similar device,allows hardware like printers, etc. that were not originally designedwith an optical XCVR to be easily retrofitted to permit opticalcommunications. As seen in FIGS. 8A-8D, USB dongle 1000, includes a USBplug 1020 which is in the preferred embodiment most desirably compatiblewith standard USB connectors found on many devices. USB connectors arefound on nearly all recently manufactured printers, PCs, flash drives,portable media players such as MP-3 and video players, and a plethora ofother devices. While USB plug 1020 is preferred, owing to the wideavailability of USB-enabled client devices, it is contemplated hereinthat the physical and electrical interface may comprise other standardsor alternative constructions. As but one example, an IEEE-1394(Firewire) interface may be provided alternatively or in addition to USBplug 1020. USB dongle 1000 is in the most preferred embodimentphysically small, such that it may plug into diverse client devices forthe purpose of providing data access and communication withoutmechanically interfering with the placement or use of the client device.

Instead of relying on radio frequencies, USB dongle 1000 communicatesthrough a light communications channel. Data signals carried upon anoptical transmission are received from a host through photodetector1040. Data signals are transmitted to the host by LED 1060. Mostpreferably, photodetector 1040 and LED 1060 are isolated by a visiblebarrier, which may be a simple protrusion 1080. Recesses and otheroptical barriers are further contemplated herein to serve as isolationfrom emitter-receiver feedback.

USB dongle 1000 is enabled to electrically connect to any client thataccepts USB plug 1020, or other connector substituted or provided inaddition thereto. FIG. 8E illustrates through schematic block diagram anexemplary electrical design of a USB dongle. To be recognized by theclient device, the USB dongle will have to obey the electrical andcommunications specifications for the particular connection type.Consequently, in the preferred embodiment, the USB dongle will complywith both physical and electrical USB specifications through a suitableconnection apparatus 1120, allowing connection to a USB host.

Referring now to FIG. 8E, the USB-compliant signal 1130 is not, in thepreferred embodiment, the preferred signal format for opticaltransmission or reception. Consequently, transmission of USB-compliantsignals 1130 will require conversion through conversion apparatus 1140to suitable optical transmission format required at transmit signal1200. For exemplary purposes, if the USB specification uses adifferential signaling method using two wires for data, it may bedesirable to convert USB-compliant signal 1130 to a different signalingstandard, such as a single-ended signaling scheme like the well-knownRS-232 standard, which uses a single line for data. Conversion apparatus1140 will, in accord with the preferred embodiment, be configured toprovide the selected electrical conversion. Transmit circuitry 1210 may,in the preferred embodiment, simply be appropriate buffering, isolation,modulation or amplification circuitry which will provide appropriatevoltage and power through drive signal 1220 to adequately drive LED 1230into producing a data-bearing visible light transmission 1240. Exemplaryof common transmit circuitry are operational amplifiers (op-amps) andtransistor amplifiers, though those skilled in the art of signalconditioning will recognize a plethora of optional circuits andcomponents which might optionally be used in conjunction with thepresent invention. In one conceived embodiment, the data-bearing visiblelight transmission may further be modulated, using FM, AM, PWM, PPM,OFDM, QAM or other known modulation techniques.

Similar to the transmission circuitry, USB dongle 1000 also incorporatesreception circuitry for receiving data from a data-bearing visible lightwave input signal 1160. Data-bearing visible light wave 1160 will bedetected by light sensor 1170 and converted to a data-bearing electricalsignal 1180. Receive circuitry 1190 will appropriately condition, andmay further convert data-bearing electrical signal 1180. As but oneexample of such conversion, receive circuitry 1190 may additionallydemodulate data-bearing electrical signal 1180, if the data stream hasbeen modulated by an optical host, and suitable buffering, amplificationand other conditioning may be provided to yield a received data signal1150. Conversion apparatus 1140 will convert received signal 1150 to aUSB-compliant signal 1130.

The preferred embodiment USB dongle 1000 uses light as thecommunications channel between client and host, which improves security,reliability, system testing and configuration, bandwidth,infrastructure, etc. Security is greatly increased because light doesnot go through walls, in contrast to radio communications, and steps canbe taken to obstruct visible transmissions with a much greater certaintythan with high frequency radio waves. Furthermore, the visible light mayadditionally be limited or directed by known optical components such aslenses and reflectors to selectively form beams, as opposed toomni-directional transmissions.

The optical link does not interfere with existing communication systemslike those that are common today. Consequently, the preferred embodimentmay be used in a variety of applications where prior art systems weresimply unable due to EMI/RFI considerations.

Set-up, testing, troubleshooting and the like are also vastlysimplified. When the light communication system is working, the user canactually see the illumination. If an object interferes with lighttransmission, the user will again immediately recognize the same. Thus,the ease and convenience of this light system adds up to greatermobility and less cost. In addition, relatively high energy outputs maybe provided where desired using the preferred visible lightcommunications channel, since the human eye is adapted andwell-protected against damage from light. In contrast, many invisibletransmission techniques such as Ultraviolet (UV) or Infra-Red (IR)systems have much potential for harm.

A host lamp fixture system replaces stationary (mounted in a particularplace) lighting fixtures in order to communicate data. Inside of LEDlights there may be one or many dies; these may pulsate on slightlydifferent frequencies from a single light to communicate. Each may belooking for changes by way of Multiple Channel Access or other suitabletechnique.

When a client (such as a laptop) asks for channels, the host respondswith the location of the channels. Lights in a ceiling, for example,will communicate with any capable transceiver. One suitable method usesBPL (Broadband over Power Lines) for network connection, taking data andembedding it into a carrier frequency or group like radio, but insteadusing power lines or wave guides for transmission throughout an existingset of power lines within a building. Thus, a building needs to be wiredonly for lights, saving a huge infrastructure of other wires andfixtures, saving a great deal of money.

In at least one embodiment, the optical XCVRs, or circuitry attachedthereto, include modulation circuitry for modulating a carrier signalwith the optical signal. Modulation can be used to eliminate biasconditions caused by sunlight or other interfering light sources.Digital modulation can be accomplished by using phase-shift keying,amplitude-shift keying, frequency-shift keying, quadrature modulation,or any other digital modulation technique known by those of ordinaryskill. Similarly, such XCVRs can include demodulation circuitry thatextracts the data from the received signal. Modulation and demodulationtechniques for modulating light signals are known by those of ordinaryskill in the art. Examples of such techniques are described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,732,310, 5,245,681, and 6,137,613, the entire contents of eachbeing expressly incorporated herein by reference.

It may be desirable in some embodiments to further include filters orfilter circuitry to prevent unwanted light from being amplified. Forexample, the optical baseband signal can be modulated at 100 kHz andthen transmitted. The XCVR that receives the 100 kHz modulated signalcan include a filter stage centered at 100 kHz. The filtered 100 kHzsignal can then be input into the amplifier circuitry, therebypreventing amplification of unwanted signals. In some embodiments, itcan be desirable to amplify the transmitted signal first, and thenfilter out the baseband signal.

Additional information regarding data communication can be found inInternational Publication Number WO 99/49435, the entire contents ofwhich are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIGS. 2-4 depict an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 2-4,an application of the LED light and communication system of FIG. 1 isshown. In such an embodiment, the LED light and communication system isintegral to a broadband over power line (BOPL) communications system.FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of how Internet access can beprovided with the optical XCVR described with respect to FIG. 1. In FIG.2, an Internet Provider 140, connected to the Internet 142, providesInternet Access 144 via fiber optic cable 146, or other transmissionmedium, to a power substation 148 (4 kV-30 kV, for example). In order toinject the signals onto the power lines, a power line bridge 150 isprovided that can modulate, alter, or otherwise adapt the Internetsignals (not shown) for transmission over the power lines. As mentionedabove, this is a simplification. More information may be found in U.S.Pat. No. 7,349,325, the entire disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. As used herein, the term “power linebridge” is used to denote any device that is capable of injectingInternet signals onto power lines, whether it is located at a substationor power line, home, business, etc., or any device that can extract anInternet signal from the power lines in a home, business, etc.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the data signals exit the distributionsubstation on the distribution bus (not shown) and are then injectedonto the power lines 152 (either overhead or, preferably, underground).In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the power lines are fed to streetlights 154. Each street light 154 is adapted to use an optical XCVR,such as those described above. Although it is envisioned that currentstreet lamp light sources would be replaced with optical XCVRs, in someembodiments, the optical XCVRs can be used in conjunction with currentstreet lamp light sources. Prior to broadcasting the data via a lightsignal from the LED street light, the data must be extracted viademodulation techniques from the power supplied to the street light (notshown). An exemplary street light is shown in FIG. 6.

Using street lamps as an Internet connection point takes advantage ofthe ubiquity of street lighting. Additionally, a major problem foramateur radio enthusiasts would be dramatically reduced by the use ofstreet lights in the above manner. Amateur radio enthusiasts are greatlyconcerned with the noise generated and radiated when power lines areused for broadband transmission. However, electricity is generallysupplied to street lamps via underground cables and through internalwiring in the street light columns (see FIGS. 6 and 7 for example). Thisdesign significantly reduces the amount of RF noise radiated duringtransmission of the signals. And, when finally broadcast, the signal isin light form and is thus not a source of RF noise.

Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a graphical representation of howthe street lights of FIG. 2 form an optical link 156 with customers 158.In FIG. 3, residential homes are depicted, but the technology can ofcourse be used for commercial, industrial, or any other customerdesiring broadband access. The optical XCVRs in the street lightstransmit light to and receive light from the optical XCVRs 160 that areplaced at the customer site.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram depicting how a customer's opticalXCVR provides Internet access to the customer via the customer'selectrical wiring. The customer's optical XCVR 160 is in operativecommunication with a power line bridge 150. The power line bridge 150modulates the signal sent via the street light and injects the modulatedsignal onto the customer's electrical wiring 162, usually at 120-240VAC. In at least one embodiment, the modulated signal is injected ontothe electrical wiring at the electrical mains feed at the circuitbreaker panel. This embodiment injects the signal to all electricalcircuits at the customer site, providing access to the signal on eachelectrical circuit in the home, etc. In some embodiments, rather thaninjecting onto the electrical wiring at the electrical mains feed at thecircuit breaker panel, the modulated signal can be injected ontospecific electrical circuits, if desired.

After signals are injected onto the customer's electrical wiring, anumber of methods are available for transmitting the data to the enduser. In some embodiments, another power line bridge 150 is used todemodulate the signal from the electrical power. For example, a powerline bridge similar to a BellSouth® Powerline USB Adapter may be used.Of course, a power line bridge can also be Ethernet compatible. Thepower line bridge can plug into an electrical outlet, demodulate thesignal from the electrical power, and transmit the signal to electronicequipment requiring Internet access.

In at least one embodiment, the signal is in operative communicationwith the electronic equipment via cables, such as Ethernet cables.

In other embodiments, the power line bridge plugged into the electricaloutlet includes an optical XCVR, and instead of cables, an optical linkprovides the transmission medium to the electronic equipment. The lightsignal can be modulated, if desired. Of course, in such an embodiment,another optical XCVR in communication with the electronic equipmentreceives and transmits data.

In some embodiments, an optical XCVR provides lighting for one or morerooms on the customer premises. In operative communication with theoptical XCVR is a power line bridge that demodulates the signal from theelectrical power that supplies power to AC/DC converter that suppliespower to the LED array of the XCVR. The power line bridge sends thedemodulated signal to the optical XCVR for transmission.

It can be desirable, however, to modulate the light signal prior totransmission to reduce the effects of external lighting. The light sentvia the optical XCVR over the optical link is received by anotheroptical XCVR in communication with electronic equipment and demodulated,as described above. Such an embodiment can be desirable because eachroom at a customer premise can be either be designed for or retrofittedwith optical XCVRs in the ceiling, for example, for lighting. As such,the main light source in the room doubles as an optical link forelectronic equipment. Because the optical XCVRs are located in theceiling, there are few items that can block the light signal.

Injecting the signal onto the electrical wiring and providing an opticallink through LED lighting is advantageous over wireless DSL modems.Often times, metal shelving or other structures on the premisesinterfere with or even block RF signals, thereby requiring multipleaccess points. However, providing an optical link through LED lightingin each room, for example, inherently provides multiple access points.

In an alternative embodiment, Internet access is provided to acustomer's electrical wiring by standard BOPL techniques, without theuse of LED lighting in street lights, for example, such as described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,349,325 and shown in FIG. 5. However, once the signal ison the customer's electrical wiring, it can be extracted and broadcastover an optical link using optical XCVRs, as described above.

In addition to street lights, traffic signals can include optical XCVRs.As such, vehicles can be receiving information as they drive alongstreets.

In another embodiment of the present invention, security badges, IDbadges, communications badge, badge, user interface device, or nametags, these terms being used interchangeably hereafter, can includeoptical XCVRs, as shown in FIG. 10A. The optical XCVR of a user'ssecurity badge 170 communicates with the optical XCVRs 160 that are alsoacting as room lighting, hall lighting, or other lighting 161 in acustomer's facility, as shown in FIG. 10A. Of course, the optical XCVRscan be placed in numerous other locations as lighting sources. Using theXCVRs as light sources can reduce energy consumption and simplifycommunications by reducing the filtering or modulation complexitiesnecessary to distinguish data signals from extraneous lighting sources.As shown in FIG. 10A, a user is shown with a name tag 170 that isbroadcasting and receiving data over an optical link 156 using the XCVRdescribed in FIG. 10A to a ceiling mounted fixture. Badge 170 is pinnedto, affixed with or otherwise transported by a person, in the embodimentas illustrated as a replacement for standard security identificationbadges.

Badge 170 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 10B, and may includefeatures commonly found in standard security identification badges,including but not limited to such attributes as a photograph 1100 of theperson assigned to the badge, and indicia such as employeeidentification or number 1200, name 1220, and business or entity logos1240. Business or entity logos 1240, or other components may integrateanti-counterfeiting technology as may be available or known for suchdiverse applications as passports, driver's licenses, currency and otherapplications. Commonly used devices include holograms, watermarks,special materials or unique threads, and embedded non-alterableelectronic, visible, sonic or other identification codes. An opticaltransmitter 1300 and receiver 1320 are most preferably provided andenable communication over optical communications channel 156. Amicrophone, loudspeaker, microphone and speaker combination, ordual-purpose device 1400 may be provided to integrate an auditorycommunication channel between communication badge 170 and nearby livingbeings or other animate or inanimate objects. A video camera 1420 may beincorporated to capture video or still pictures. A video display 1500may additionally be incorporated into communication badge 170,permitting information 1520 to be displayed thereon, which could forexemplary purposes could comprise either text or graphics.

Depending upon the intended application for which communication badge170 is being designed, to include such ordinary factors as cost anddesired features, and also upon the size of communication badge 170 andavailable video resolution within video display 1500, photograph 1100may in some cases be eliminated and replaced entirely by an electronicrepresentation displayed within video display 1500 either continuouslyor upon request or polling. Similarly, indicia such as employeeidentification or number 1200, name 1220, and business or entity logos1240 may also be provided either as illustrated in FIG. 10B, or inanother embodiment solely upon video display 1500.

Biometric detectors and systems may be employed within or in associationwith communication badge 170. For exemplary purposes, but not limitedsolely thereto, a fingerprint reader or other biometric detector may beincorporated within badge 170. In such case, periodic or action-drivenre-activation may be required to verify that badge 170 is still inproper possession of the person assigned therewith. For exemplarypurposes, when a particularly sensitive area is being accessed, or abuilding first entered, the security system in accord with an embodimentof the present invention may communicate through badge 170 to person andrequire a fingerprint verification scan. Other biometric indicators maynot require active confirmation, and more than one biometric indicatormay be incorporated herein.

Communication badge 170 communicates with XCVR 160 in LED light source161. LED light source 161, illustrated by magnified view in FIG. 10C asa body 2050 that incorporates at least one, and preferably a pluralityof LEDs and optical detectors. One or more photodetectors 2200 may beprovided, and may either be broad spectrum detectors or alternativelycolor-filtered or sensitive to only a single color. The detector will beany of the myriad known in the art, the particular selection which willbe determined by well-known considerations such as sensitivity,reliability, availability, cost and the like.

As illustrated, LEDs are in clusters of three. In accord with thepresent invention, these LEDs are RGB LEDs, designating that theyinclude red, blue and green which are the primary additive colors fromwhich all other colors including white may be produced. For exemplarypurposes only, LED 2100 may generate red light, commonly ofapproximately 650 nanometer wavelength, LED 2120 may generate bluelight, commonly of approximately 475 nanometer wavelength, and LED 2140may generate green light, commonly of approximately 565 nanometerwavelength. LEDs 2100-2140 may be discrete components, or mayalternatively be integrated onto a common die and take the physical formof a single LED. Furthermore, more than one RGB LED may be integratedupon a single die or within a common package, as may be deemed mostappropriate by a manufacturer. A plurality of RGB LEDs may also beprovided upon or within a single body 2050, as illustrated in FIG. 10Cby RGB LEDs 2100′, 2120′ and 2140′. In practice, there is no limit tothe number of RGB LEDs that may be used, other than physical size andavailable space limitations, and thermal dissipation capacity and powerrequirement constraints.

By controlling the relative power applied to each one of the RGB LEDs2100-2140, different colors may be produced. This concept is well-knownas the RGB model, and is used today in nearly all video displays. Colortelevisions and computer monitors, for example, incorporate very smallred, green and blue (RGB) dots adjacent to each other. To produce whiteregions on the screen, all three RGB dots are illuminated. Black dotsare the result of none of the RGB dots being illuminated. Other colorsare produced by illuminating one or more of the dots at differentrelative levels, or alternatively controlling how many closely adjacentdots of one primary color are fully illuminated relatively to the othertwo primary colors.

Through the use of RGB LEDs, color temperature of an LED light panel2000 may be adjusted or controlled, and may be varied in real timewithout making any hardware or apparatus changes. Instead, power appliedto the RGB LEDs is adjusted to favor one or another of the RGB LEDs2100-2140. Since the light emitted from the RGB LEDs is approximatelyfull-spectrum light, the color-rendering index may also be relativelyhigh, particularly when compared to mercury or sodium vapor lamps,making the light feel very natural.

While human eyes are substantially more tolerant of visible light, andwhile visible light intensity is readily discerned by humans, there issome description in the prior art of potential hazards associated withextreme intensity blue-wavelength illumination. In an embodiment of theinvention, safeguards may be programmed or designed into the control ofRGB LEDs 2100-2140 to prevent occurrence of conditions that could leadto blue-light hazard or other safety hazard that might potentiallyexist.

While other options exist for producing white light from LEDs, the useof an RGB LED absent of phosphors is preferred for most applications ofthe present invention. Not only is color of the light easily controlledusing well-known RGB technology, but also by their very nature phosphorstend to slow down the rate at which an LED may be illuminated andextinguished due to phosphor latencies. For the purposes of the presentinvention, where an optical communications channel 156 is createdbetween XCVR 160 and one or more communications badges 170, higher datatransfer rates may be obtained with more rapid control of illuminationlevels. Consequently, if phosphors are used in the generation of lightfrom LED light source 161, and if faster data exchange rates throughoptical communications channel 156 are desired, these phosphors willpreferably be very fast lighting and extinguishing.

A variety of physical and electrical configurations are contemplatedherein for LED light source 161. As illustrated in FIG. 10A, lightsource 161 may replace a standard fluorescent tube light fixture. Thiscan be accomplished by replacing the entire fixture such that ballastsand other devices specific to fluorescent lighting are replaced. In manycases, this will be the preferred approach. The fixture may then bewired for any suitable or desired voltage, and where a voltage orcurrent different from standard line voltage is used, transformers orpower converters or power supplies may be provided. When a building iseither initially being constructed, or so thoroughly remodeled toprovide adequate replacement of wires, the voltage may be generated intransformers that may even be provided outside of the occupied space,such as on the roof, in a utility room, basement or attic. In additionto other benefit, placement in these locations will further reducerequirements for air conditioning.

As efficiencies of light generation by LEDs are now beginning to surpassfluorescent tubes, such entire replacement is more economical. However,total replacement of such fixtures is not the only means contemplatedherein. Any lesser degree of replacement is also considered inalternative embodiments. For exemplary purposes, the physical reflectorscommonly associated with fluorescent fixtures may be preserved, and thefixture simply rewired to bypass any ballasts or starter circuitry thatmight be present. In this case, line voltage, such as 120VAC at 60 Hertzin the United States, may pass through the electrical connector pins.LED base 2050, in such case, may be designed to insert directly into astandard fluorescent socket, such as, for exemplary purposes only andnot limited thereto, the standard T8 and T12 sockets used in the UnitedStates. In such case, either RGB LEDs 2100-2140 are arranged and wiredto directly operate from line voltage, or appropriate electronics willneed to be provided directly in LED base 2050 to provide necessary powerconversion. In yet another conceived alternative embodiment, powerconversion may be provided through switching-type or other powerconversion circuitry to alleviate the need for any rewiring, though inthese instances the power conversion circuitry will need to accommodatethe particular type of ballast already in place.

Where other types of fixtures already exist, such as standardincandescent Edison screw bases, LED bulbs may similarly accommodate thefixture. For incandescent replacement, no rewiring or removal ofballasts is required, since line voltage is applied directly toincandescent fixtures. Consequently, appropriate conversion may in oneconceived alternative embodiment simply involve the replacement of abulb with no fixture or wiring alterations.

For LED light source 161 to replace an existing bulb, regardless oftype, and benefit from the many features enabled in the preferredembodiment, communications circuitry must also be provided. Thiscommunications circuitry is necessary to properly illuminate each of thered, green and blue LEDs to desired color, to transport data throughoptical communication channel 156.

In accord with a preferred method of the invention, LEDs are used totransmit through optical communication channel several kinds of data,including identity, location, audio and video information. The use of anoptical communications link provides large available bandwidth, which inturn permits multiple feeds of personal communication between LED lightsources and badges similar to or in excess of that of cell phones. Theoptical data is transferred at rates far in excess of those detectableby the human eye, and so a person is not able to detect any visiblechanges as the data is being transferred. Additionally, because opticalillumination is constrained by opaque objects such as walls, thelocation of a badge and associated person can be discerned to aparticular room, hallway or other similar space.

In contrast, prior art GPS systems and cell phone triangulationtechniques are typically only accurate to one or several hundred feet.Horizontally, this prior art precision is adequate for manyapplications. However, vertically several hundred feet could encompasstwenty floors in an office or apartment building. The preferredembodiment, capable of precision to a room or light fixture, thereforehas much more exact pinpointing than hitherto available. It can locate aperson immediately, even in a large area and/or among a large crowd, andcan keep track of a large population simultaneously. As noted, the largebandwidth permits video signals to be integrated with badge location andmovement, providing the opportunity to create audio-video records thatare fixed in time and location.

Since location may be relatively precisely discerned, opticaltransmitter 1300 or LEDs 2100-2140 of FIG. 10B may in one embodiment beconfigured to change color, flash, or otherwise be visually changed ormanipulated to assist with directional guidance, personnel or intruderidentification, energy management, or to facilitate the meeting andconnection of individuals. To achieve these objectives, a building needsto be wired only for lights, saving a huge infrastructure of other wiresand fixtures.

Some embodiments of the name tag 170 XCVR include any or all of thefollowing devices: a microphone 172, a speaker 174, a rechargeablebattery 176, and a video camera 178, as shown in the simplified blockdiagram of FIG. 9. In at least one embodiment, the microphone is incommunication with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (not shown) forconverting the analog speech input to a digital signal. An amplifiercircuit 180 can be used to boost the microphone signal. The signal canbe amplified prior to or after the ADC. In some embodiments, the speakeris communication with a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (not shown)for converting the received digital signal to an analog output. Anamplifier circuit 182 can be used to boost the speaker signal. Thesignal can be amplified prior to or after the DAC. The processor 184shown in FIG. 9 converts the digital signals from themicrophone/amplifier to data packets that can be used for transmissionby the optical XCVR. Similarly, the processor converts the data packetsreceived by the optical XCVR to audio out signals directed to thespeaker. The processor can convert data packets received from ordirected to the video camera. The term “processor” as used herein refersto a processor, controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, or anyother device that can execute instructions, perform arithmetic and logicfunctions, access and write to memory, interface with peripheraldevices, etc.

In such an embodiment, the user can use the name tag as a communicationdevice. Alternatively, the user may use the name tag to stream music, orvideo if a display is included. Furthermore, the optical XCVR can alsoinclude non-volatile memory (FLASHRAM, EEPROM, and EPROM, for example)that can store firmware for the optical XCVR, as well as textinformation, audio signals, video signals, contact information for otherusers, etc., as is common with current cell phones. While a hard-drivemay be used instead of these semiconductor-based memory devices,hard-drives may be impractical in some embodiments based on their size,access times, as well as their susceptibility to jarring.

The optical XCVR includes one or more photodetectors 126 for receivingtransmitted LED or other light signals, and one or more LEDs 124 fortransmitting LED signals, as shown in FIG. 9. In some embodiments, anoptical signal amplifier 186 is in communication with the photodetectorsto increase the signal strength of the received light signals. In atleast one embodiment, the LEDs are in operative communication with anLED power driver 188, ensuring a constant current source for the LEDs.

In some embodiments, the name tag may include circuitry that performsmodulation, demodulation, data compression, data decompression, upconverting, down converting, coding, interleaving, pulse shaping, andother communication and signal processing techniques, as are known bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

In at least one embodiment, the name tag of FIGS. 9 and 10 is embeddedwith a unique code, similar in principle to the MAC address of acomputer, for example. Thus, every name tag has a unique identifier. Thename tag broadcasts the unique code at regular intervals, or irregularintervals if desired. Optical XCVRs located within the user's buildingand near the user can then receive the unique code transmitted by thename tag.

There are numerous applications of such a design. For example, in someembodiments, an optical XCVR is engaged to a door lock. When a user witha name tag approaches a locked door, the name tag broadcasts the uniquecode, and an optical XCVR in communication with the door lock receivesthe code, and if acceptable, unlocks or opens the door. A table ofacceptable codes may be stored in a memory device that is incommunication with, and accessible by, the door's optical XCVR.Alternatively, the door's optical XCVR may transmit a code to a centralstation that compares the user's code against a table of approved codesand then sends a response either allowing or denying access.

As seen in FIG. 11, the electrical wiring in the hallways and/or roomsmay include BOPL. As such, the name tag may be used to provide access tothe Internet via the optical XCVRs in the hallways and rooms. A personwalking down the hallway may receive a phone call on their name tag froma person on the other side of the world as long as the other person wasusing the Internet to communicate and knew the unique code of the nametag. Such communication is possible because the Internet is based upontransmission of packetized data, a form ideally suited for use with anoptical XCVR.

FIG. 12 illustrates a simplified block schematic diagram of anelectrical circuit used to couple power and data to one or a pluralityof LED light sources 161. Power, which may be either AC or DC current iscoupled through a power line bridge 150 with data from a network cableinput, for example. The source of the data is not critical to theoperation of the present invention, but may include various computeroutputs such as might, for exemplary purposes, include control processoroutput or network connections such as commonly found on Local AreaNetworks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN) or through the Internet. Inaccord with one embodiment, the wiring between power line bridge 150 andLED light source 161 is shielded by passing through a conduit or thelike, defining a Shielded Broadband-over-Power-Line (S-BPL) connectionthat is both resistant to interfering communications and also producesalmost no radiant energy.

In at least one embodiment, the name tag may be used in conjunction withthe LED lighting in hallways, rooms, etc. to reduce energy consumption,as shown in FIG. 11. For example, all the lights in a hallway may have astandby setting such that they are relatively dim or even off. As aperson with a name tag proceeds down a hallway, the lights in front ofthe person turn on in response to a transmitted signal (e.g. the uniquecode of the name tag). As the person moves beyond a light, the lightreturns to its standby setting of dim/off brightness through a signalcommunicated from a XCVR at a sufficiently remote location to indicatethat the individual has passed, and is no longer present at thisparticular location. The presence of an individual proximate to an XCVRmay be determined by either recognition of a signal or through thefailure to continue to recognize a signal or by a proximity calculationas based on a controller receiving a signal from a remote location whichindicates recognition of a name tag. A proximity is then calculatedwhere initial or previous XCVR light sources are extinguished as anindividual passes a particular location. In other embodiments, thelights can gradually become brighter, as a percentage of fullbrightness, as a person approaches, and then gradually dim, as apercentage of full brightness, as a person moves away based on proximitycalculation as earlier described.

The lights shown in FIG. 11, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, will have AC wiring with data carriers such as S-BPL, andstatic locations encoded into the system. Thus a person 190 entering ahallway 192 with a communications badge 170 could use only those lightsneeded for his travel. As the person progresses toward a destination,the lights behind the person may be no longer needed and so may beprogrammed to turn off. These lights could function variably from 10 to100% brightness as needed, for example. As shown in FIG. 11, the person190 is approximately adjacent to light 505 and traveling in thedirection shown by arrow 15 towards light 506. From this position,person 190 might prefer to be able to see into the branching corridorcontaining lights 509-511. With appropriate central computer control andprogramming which will be readily understood and achieved by thoseskilled in the computer arts, the illumination of these neighboringlights can be increased, to provide sufficient illumination to ensurethe safety of person 190. Since different persons will have differentdesires regarding the extent of adjacent illumination, an embodiment ofthe present invention may incorporate custom programming of suchfeatures by individual person 190, or within standard preset selections,such as “cautious” where a relatively large number of lights areilluminated adjacent to person 190, or “carefree,” where only a minimumnumber of lights are illuminated. Again, the level of illumination mayadditionally vary with relation to the person, the geometry of thebuilding space, in accord with personal preferences, or for otherreasons.

When person 190 has traveled farther, lights 509-511 may beextinguished, in effect providing a moving “bubble” of illuminationsurrounding person. Other lights are automatically shut-off or dimmed asdesired and controlled by program. As FIG. 11 further illustrates,lights within a room 20 may similarly be activated and controlled. Forexemplary purposes as illustrated, light 531 may be at full intensity,lights 521-528 may be extinguished completely, and light 520 may beoperating in a greatly dimmed state, but still providing adequatelighting to ease person 190.

As is apparent, the present invention reduces the extent of humaninteraction required to control various functions such as light switchesand thermostats, while simultaneously increasing the capabilities ofsuch controls. Individual or selected groups of lights may beselectively configured for optimal physiological and psychologicaleffects and benefits for one or more applications, and then may bereadily reconfigured without changes to physical structures for diverseapplications having different requirements for optimal physiologicaland/or psychological effects and benefits. Such embodiments are animprovement over conventional motion detectors, due to the “smart”nature of the optical XCVRs. Rather than waiting for a time delay as isthe case with motion detectors, the optical XCVRs (and in someembodiments the optical XCVRs in conjunction with software) in thelighting fixture recognize immediately that the person has moved beyonda particular light, allowing that particular light to be dimmed orturned off. Also, this smart technology may be used to turn lights ononly for people with the correct code embedded in their name tag. Insuch an embodiment, the user can walk into a restricted area, and if notauthorized to be there, the lights would remain off, and if authorizedthe lights would turn on. Alternatively, a teacher with a name taggrading papers in a classroom, for example, may use the name tag to turnon only the lighting near the teacher's desk at full brightness, whileother lighting in the room remains at a dimmer, more energy efficient,setting.

Energy management is not solely limited to total power consumption. Peakinrush current is also an important factor monitored by many utilitycompanies. This is the peak power draw of the power customer, forexemplary purposes within each twenty-four hour period. By controllingthe timing of illumination and other equipment start-up, electrical drawmay be gradually ramped up. Many devices initially draw more power atstart-up than when operational. So, since each light is individuallyaddressed and controlled and appliances or machines may similarly becontrolled, the communications afforded by the present invention permitmuch smaller banks of devices to be started, allowing those devices tosurge and then settle to lower energy requirements before starting thenext bank of devices. Some devices and machines very quickly drop downto lower power draw. LED light sources are such a device. Banks of thesemay very quickly and sequentially be started. Other devices, such aselectrical compressors found in heat pumps, refrigeration and airconditioning units, may require much more time for start-up, beforeadditional devices should be started. Likewise, the particular order ofstart-up may be optimized for the various electrical loads found withina building. All of this is readily accomplished through simpleprogramming and communication through preferred LED light sources orequivalents thereto.

In other embodiments of the invention, numbers of occupants within aspace may be used not only for anticipating illumination, but also tocontrol operation of other appliances and machinery within the building.Exemplary of this, but not limited thereto, are water and space heatersand coolers, and all other electrical or electrically controllabledevices.

In some embodiments, the name tag may be used to assist emergencypersonnel. For example, if a person with a name tag had anincapacitating emergency condition while walking along a hallway in abuilding with optical XCVRs, as in the embodiments described above, thehallway lighting can be modified to direct emergency workers directly tothe injured person. The lights can be made to flash, change color, orform directional arrows, or sequential directional indicators, orotherwise signify to the emergency personnel the quickest path to theperson.

In addition to energy management, some embodiment of the presentinvention are directed towards security and detection of intruders. Inthe event of an intruder, the present preferred apparatus may be used todetect and locate the intruder. Since the building is dark, in manycases an intruder will rely upon a flashlight to move through thebuilding. Most preferably, the XCVR will detect this unidentified lightsource. Optionally, an attempt will be made through the XCVR tocommunicate with the unidentified light source. A failure to communicatewill indicate an intruder or unauthorized access. In such case, sincethe location of XCVR is known precisely, the location of the intruder isalso known. Further, even as the intruder moves about, so the intruderwill be tracked by virtue of the light emitting from the intruder'sflashlight. When emergency personnel are called to the building, lightsmay be used to guide the emergency personnel to the exact location ofthe intruder. The emergency personnel may not be limited to police. Asmay by now be apparent, ambulance workers as well as police wouldappreciate flashing directional lights because quicker access to anemergency scene could potentially save lives. This custom guidancesystem can include red, white or other suitably colored or illuminatedlights which may be steady or flashing for emergency situations.Corridor lights and/or individual communication badges may be equippedto flash, directing emergency personnel to a desired location or person.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the communication badge maycommunicate with prior art screening equipment, such a metal detectors,x-ray machines, drug and explosives sniffers, and other such hardware. Abuilding employing the present invention may incorporate multiple safetyfeatures. Instead of relying on several security guards at severalstations to read badges and monitor each station, a proximity detectormay first detect whether a person is passing through the entrance. Ifso, the adjacent LED light source will query for an appropriate orlegitimate communications badge. Even if detected, if a badge has beenduplicated, preferred logging and verification through software willinstantly identify that the first person is already in the building.Consequently, the presently entering person and the person already inthe building can both be located, and the intruder identified. Asdiscussed herein above, biometrics may additionally be incorporated, andfor exemplary purposes a fingerprint scan or the like may be required toverify identity prior to passing through proximity/badge detector.

Once a valid badge has been detected, a person will continue through asmany additional security checks as may be deemed appropriate, such as ametal detector and drug/explosive sniffer. Rather than requiring thetraditional operator for each station, a single guard will in accordancewith the present teachings often be adequate, so long as appropriateback-up is available on short notice. Because this energy managementsystem requires far fewer human monitors, it provides additional costsaving. A guard would be needed primarily to respond if an alarm werepresent without having to identify several situations. A guard might bestationed only near a metal detector, for example, without having tomonitor other stations. In addition, a more accurate inventory ofpersons, other assets, or substances in a building becomes possible. Animportant safety feature, however, is the greater reliability ofelectronics over personal vigilance.

The present invention also has the capability to provide low powercommunications for energy management, emergency back-up, security andspecial applications utilizing alternative power sources such asbatteries or solar cells. Since each individual LED light source may beseparately controlled, unnecessary lights may be extinguished in anemergency. Remaining lights may be used to signal emergency routes whichmay be emergency exits, predetermined shelter such as in the event of atornado, safe locations potentially determined in real time in the eventof an intruder or other hazard. The remaining lights may also oralternatively be used to maintain nominal communications channels withinthe building. The signals in such instance may be unable to be carriedthrough power lines, and so may alternatively be implemented through arepeater function from one light to the next to travel entirely througha chain of LED light source.

In accordance with another alternative embodiment of the presentinvention, building lighting may be modulated with time and date stampsor the like. Video recordings made within the space of modulatedillumination will have an optical watermark automatically embeddedtherein. The embedding of such identifiable signals ensures theintegrity of video recordings made under these lights.

Building management in accord with another embodiment of the inventionfurther includes automated secured access control to apparatus such asdoors, drawers, electronic computer operations, cars, thermostats, andany other devices that may be electronically controlled. By means of LEDcommunication, the location of unauthorized devices as well as personscan be tracked or polled by the system. Doors, either locked orunlocked, can be manipulated in response to the location or movement ofthese devices or persons.

If audio and/or video is additionally enabled, either throughcommunications badges or separate wall-mounted devices, the video can beused to capture the last-known conditions of a user or an area. This canbe important in the event a disaster strikes that results in significantdestruction of property or life.

An intelligent audio/visual observation and identification databasesystem may also be coupled to sensors as disposed about a building. Thesystem may then build a database with respect to temperature sensorswithin specific locations, pressure sensors, motion detectors,communications badges, phone number identifiers, sound transducers,and/or smoke or fire detectors. Recorded data as received from varioussensors may be used to build a database for normal parameters andenvironmental conditions for specific zones of a structure forindividual periods of time and dates. A computer may continuouslyreceive readings/data from remote sensors for comparison to thepre-stored or learned data to identify discrepancies therebetween. Inaddition, filtering, flagging and threshold procedures may beimplemented to indicate a threshold discrepancy to signal an officer toinitiate an investigation. The reassignment of priorities and thestorage and recognition of the assigned priorities occurs at thecomputer to automatically recalibrate the assignment of points or flagsfor further comparison to a profile prior to the triggering of a signalrepresentative of a threshold discrepancy.

The intelligent audio/visual observation and identification databasesystem may also be coupled to various infrared or ultraviolet sensors,in addition to the optical sensors incorporated directly into LED lightsource, and used for security/surveillance within a structure to assistin the early identification of an unauthorized individual within asecurity zone or the presence of an intruder without knowledge of theintruder.

The intelligent audio/visual observation and identification databasesystem as coupled to sensors and/or building control systems for abuilding which may be based upon audio, temperature, motion, pressure,phone number identifiers, smoke detectors, fire detectors and firealarms is based upon automatic storage, retrieval and comparison ofobserved/measured data to prerecorded data, in further comparison to thethreshold profile parameters to automatically generate a signal to asurveillance, security, or law enforcement officer.

Security zones which may use intelligent video/audio observation andidentification database system may include, but are not necessarilylimited to, areas such as airports, embassies, hospitals, schools,government buildings, commercial buildings, power plants, chemicalplants, garages, and/or any other location for which the monitoring ofvehicle or individual traffic and/or security is desirable.

An intelligent observation and identification database system may bearranged to learn the expected times for arrival and departure ofindividuals and vehicles from various zones. Each time an individual orvehicle enters or exits a security zone, the system may record in thedatabase the time and location of the arrival or exit. Thus, over time,the system may learn the expected arrival and departure times based uponthe average of predetermined times, such as normal shift times. Thus, ifa vehicle of an individual attempts to enter or exit a zone at a timeother than the learned expected time of entry or exit, the system mayalert security personnel to initiate an investigation.

If a low level tracking priority is assigned to the vehicle orindividual, tracking may be accomplished by recording the location andtime for each instance when the system identifies the vehicle orindividual. Thus, a low level tracking priority may normally generate alog of when and where a vehicle or individual was seen. Over time, thesystem may learn typical paths, times and zones where specific vehiclesand individuals spend their time. The system may then issue an alertwhen a vehicle or individual deviates from their normal path. Forexample, if a person normally may be found on the second floor, and theyoccasionally pass through first floor but have never gone to the fourthfloor, then the system may alert security personnel if the person isidentified by the system on the fourth floor.

Thus, the intelligent audio/visual observation and identificationdatabase system may be coupled to the operational systems for abuilding, such as locking systems for doors, lighting systems, airconditioning systems, and/or heating systems.

Another embodiment of the present invention incorporates guidance andcommunications systems. For exemplary purposes, consider the situationwhere a visitor wishes to meet with a regular building occupant. Thevisitor may be guided through any suitable color or intensity patternsuch as but not limited to flashing patterns, color changes or the likein LED light source or other similar fixtures to the location or personthey seek. Further, once within the same building space, the personbeing sought out may further be made conspicuous by similar changes incolor or intensity pattern within the sought-person's communicationbadge, for exemplary purposes either within video display 1500 oroptical transmitter 1300, as shown in FIG. 10B. Once again, such systemcontrol using the RGB LEDs of the present invention is simply a matterof software control.

In those embodiments where audio signaling or communications areenabled, and owing to the exact room position detection afforded by thepresent invention, location specific access intelligence may also beincorporated. As but one example, if a doctor is in a surgical room, thepager may remain silent. Once the doctor exits surgery, then the pagermay be reactivated. This control may be automatic, simply incorporatedinto the programming of the system. As another example, students may usethe preferred communication badge for communications similar to cellulartelephones, including text messaging, voice communications, web access,and so forth. However, upon entering a classroom, communications mightin one embodiment then be disabled, ensuring the students are notdistracted with unauthorized activities. In addition to the foregoing,audio and video communications are possible in accord with lightcommunications in locations and environments where cellular or radiocommunications may be impossible, forbidden, or unreliable, extendingexisting communications systems.

The name tag embodiment need not be restricted to use by people. Thename tag embodiment may be associated with cars, for example. In such anembodiment, the car 205 includes a tag (not shown) that broadcasts aunique code that may either turn street lights 154 on or increase thebrightness of dimly lit street lights, as shown in FIG. 15, similar tothe hallway or room lights described above. There are numerous otherembodiments. For example, such a device may be used to indicate that acar is authorized to enter a restricted area. Or, such a device may beused to pay tolls on highways or pay fees at a parking garage byuniquely identifying the vehicle and the account to be charged.Alternatively, such device may be used to open garage doors.

Another embodiment of the present invention incorporates GlobalPositioning System (GPS) information into the data packet to be sent.The Global Positioning System is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,463,the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein byreference. GPS positioning uses one or more coordinate systems, such asWorld Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84), to provide a reference frame,allowing every point on earth to be coded with a unique GPS location.

A data packet may include GPS location header bits that include thepacket's destination address in GPS coordinates. The data packet mayfurther include GPS location trailer bits that include the packet'sorigin address in GPS coordinates. The data packet may further includethe address in GPS coordinates of the optical XCVR that most recentlytransmitted the packet (the last known transmission address, or LTA), aswill be described in more detail below. The data packet further includesthe data to be transmitted, and may include any other bits ofinformation determined to be necessary for successful transmission ofdata, such as error detection bits, as understood by a person ofordinary skill in the art.

Routing data packets from one location to another location can beaccomplished using GPS location information tags data packets having ageographic location instead of a cyber location. Such an embodimenteliminates the need for any later geographic location translationbecause a data packet starts with geographic source and destinationinformation. This simplifies locating the destination of the datapacket.

In some embodiments, each data packet is assigned a GPSorigin/destination address as it passes through the networkinfrastructure. The data packet is always searching for the next closestGPS address location. Each stationary (or static) optical XCVR, and somedynamic optical XCVRs, within a network will be designated with a GPSlocation number. As a data packet passes through the network, it isrouted by the optical XCVRs, with their internal processors, to the nextphysically closer optical XCVR within the network. If another opticalXCVR is within receiving range, or is connected with another form ofcommunication medium, that optical XCVR receives the data packet. Theoptical XCVR's internal processor compares its internal GPS locationaddress (ILA) to the data packet's GPS destination address and theoptical XCVR's last known transmission address (LTA) stored within thedata packet. If the ILA code is closer to the data packet destinationaddress than the LTA code stored within the data packet, the opticalXCVR's processor inserts its ILA code into the data packet as the newLTA code and then repeats transmission of the entire data packet withthe updated LTA code. An exemplary data packet 210 including GPS addressinformation is shown in FIG. 14.

The network continues this process until the data packet reaches thedestination optical XCVR, at which point the data packet is transmitted.If a piece of the infrastructure is missing, the packet will be reroutedto the next nearest optical XCVR and continue until it finds theshortest pathway through the network to the destination address.

This means that each user on the network may declare one or more staticpositions and also have a dynamic position. A static address may be ahome, an office, etc. When a user leaves their static address locationto move through the network infrastructure, the user then becomesdynamic. The network may track the user as the user passes opticalXCVRs, similar to that of cell phones in relation to cell phone towers,and provide a dynamic address location. If a data packet begins with adestination address that is the user's static address, the network mayupdate the packet with the user's new dynamic address and reroute thepacket accordingly, in a scheme similar to that of cellular phones.

FIG. 13 shows railroad poles 215 adapted with optical XCVRs. Therailroad poles 215 with optical XCVRs are shown in more detail in FIG.7. Each optical XCVR on a railroad pole has a known static GPS address.Because each optical XCVR has a unique code, as a user drives along theroad, that specific user's dynamic GPS address location may bedetermined by the proximity of the user's optical XCVR to the static GPSaddress locations of the railroad pole, for example. Of course, in otherembodiments, street lights, traffic signals, sign posts, buildings, orother stationary structures may include optical XCVRs. Because of thisinteraction between the user's optical XCVR and the network's opticalXCVRs, the network knows the dynamic GPS address of the user. In such amanner, a data packet initially routed to a user's static GPS address(e.g. home, office, etc.), may be rerouted by the network to the user'sdynamic location. It is unnecessary for the system to know the exact GPSlocation of the user; the system only needs to know the static GPSlocation of the closest static device (e.g. a railroad pole, streetlamp, etc.) to the user so that the system may ensure the user willreceive the broadcasted signal.

It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment, an optical XCVR andits associated hardware, namely its memory, simply stores its knownstatic GPS location information. In such an embodiment, it isunnecessary for the static optical XCVR to further include a GPSreceiver because its location is known and fixed. However, in someembodiments, the optical XCVR may be combined with a GPS receiver.

Still referring to FIG. 13, a train 216 with an optical XCVR 160 isshown having an optical link 156 with the optical XCVRs on the railroadpoles 215. The optical link may be used to provide Internet access tothe train operator or the passengers. The optical link can also be usedfor switching purposes, ensuring that the train proceeds on the correcttrack.

Exemplary street lights 154 and railroad poles 215 with optical XCVRsare shown in FIG. 6-7. The street lights and railroad poles can includeinternal optics that allow for long range 2-way communication viaoptical link 156. In addition, the street lights (and railroad poles,not shown) can include a light source 157 for general illumination andlocal data access. In some embodiments, the street lights and railroadpoles include a solar panel 159 and a battery in operative communicationwith its optical XCVR. The solar panel allows communication to continuein the event of a loss of power to the street lamp. The solar panelprovides the primary source of power in some embodiments for the opticalXCVR in the railroad pole.

Other embodiments using GPS and optical XCVRs include tagging eachoptical XCVR in an office building, for example, with a unique GPSlocation. If User A, located in User A's office, attempted to contactUser B, located in User B's office, but User B was instead located inUser C's office, the transmission could be diverted to User C's officeautomatically. The data packet sent by User A includes User B's staticGPS location address, namely User B's office, as well as User B's uniquecode. The network is aware that User B is in User C's office becauseUser B's optical XCVR is broadcasting its unique code to the opticalXCVRs located in User C's office. So, as the data packet is sent out byUser A, the data packet is re-routed to one or more optical XCVRs toUser C's office, and then broadcast directly to User B's optical XCVR.The re-routing may be accomplished by routing all data packets to a basestation. The base station may then determine if the static GPSdestination address in the data packet is the correct destination, basedon the current location of the destination optical XCVR, or if the GPSdestination address needs to be modified based on the dynamicinformation of the destination optical XCVR. If the GPS destinationaddress needs to be modified, the base station may replace the staticGPS destination address with the appropriate address of the destinationoptical XCVR.

In some embodiments, the memory of a user's optical XCVR stores theunique code, the static GPS location address, or both, of another user'soptical XCVR in its “phone book”, like a cell phone. In at least oneembodiment, the optical XCVR includes a display, also like a cell phone,that allows a first user to find a second user's information andinitiate communication with the second user.

In at least one embodiment, the name tag of FIGS. 9 and 10 is embeddedwith a unique code, similar in principle to the MAC address of acomputer, for example. Thus, every name tag has a unique identifier. TheXCVR broadcasts the unique code at regular intervals, or irregularintervals if desired. Optical XCVRs located within the user's buildingand near the user may then receive the unique code transmitted by thename tag.

For example, a first user may wish to use his optical XCVR to contact asecond optical XCVR, used by John Smith. The first user's optical XCVRhas the unique code of John Smith's optical XCVR stored in its memory,or the static GPS location address of John Smith's optical XCVR storedin its memory, or both. Using a display and/or keypad on the opticalXCVR, the first user searches the phone book stored in this optical XCVRfor John Smith's name, like a cell phone. Using the keypad, the firstuser initiates communication with John Smith. Because the first user'soptical XCVR includes John Smith's contact information, the first user'soptical XCVR is able create data packets with sufficient information toallow the network to route the packets to him, as described above.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the optical XCVRmay be incorporated into a clock, preferably on the face of the clock,as seen in FIGS. 16-19. The AC electrical wiring of a building (e.g.school, office, etc.) is used to provide BOPL access to the building.The building includes a master clock 220 and one or more clocks 222located throughout the building, each clock powered by the AC electricalwiring 224, as seen in FIG. 19. In some embodiments, the master clock220 and the other clocks 222 are on the same electrical circuit. Themaster clock may include a number of functions, including an annunciatorpanel. The annunciator panel may be used to communicate fire alarms,tornado alarms, lockdowns, presence of an unknown person(s), etc. toannunciator panels on the other clocks. The master clock is in operativecommunication with a power line bridge 150. The master clock includesappropriate circuitry for encoding the alarm signals and transmittingthem to the power line bridge onto the AC electrical wiring. The packetsare then routed to clocks located in other rooms in the building tocommunicate the alarm signal.

The other clocks include power line bridge circuitry for decoding thesignal and a display and/or speaker for communicating the transmittedalarm. As seen in FIG. 16, the clocks 222 further include one or moreoptical XCVRs 160 that allow communication between other devices in aroom that are equipped with optical XCVRs, such as thermostats 226,smoke detectors 228, cameras 230, and PA speaker 232, as seen in FIG.18. The optical XCVRs in the clock also allow communication with otherrooms and/or a central location. For example, upon sensing smoke, asmoke detector equipped with an optical XCVR broadcasts the signal,which is in turn received by the clock's optical XCVR and transmittedover the AC wiring to a central location as an alarm.

Energy management may also be accomplished by using the optical XCVR onthe clock to turn down/up a thermostat equipped with an optical XCVR,based on the time of day, or whether anyone is in the room. In such anembodiment, students, for example, may each wear one of theabove-described name tags that broadcast a unique code. If the opticalXCVR in the clock in the room is polling and does not detect any uniquecodes being broadcast in the room, it sends the information along to acentral location that, in turn, instructs the optical XCVR in the clockto broadcast a signal to turn the thermostat up/down to save energy. Asimilar function may be performed with respect to the lighting in theroom. As described in detail above, the BOPL and optical XCVRs may beused to provide Internet access, thereby allowing the optical XCVR onthe clock to be the access point for the Internet connection. If a PAspeaker is included in the clock, or is in communication with the clockas in FIG. 18, the optical XCVR of the clock may also be used as apublic address system to broadcast messages.

In some embodiments, the clock face is an analog display, as seen inFIG. 16. However, in at least one embodiment, the clock is a digitalclock, as seen in FIG. 17. In some embodiments, the LED segments 234 actboth as the display of the clock and as the LEDs used for transmittingdata signals. The digital clock further includes one or more photodiodes126 for receiving data signals.

In at least one embodiment of the present invention, each student in aschool wears a name tag with an optical XCVR. The optical XCVR on a nametag may communicate with the optical XCVR on a clock to indicate whethera student in a classroom is present, or provide the student's location.In a normal classroom setting multiple students will be present. Thus, achannel access method can be provided to allow all students and teachersto use the clock's optical XCVR.

In some embodiments, a channel access method like time division multipleaccess (TDMA) may be used. TDMA splits a signal into timeslots, witheach user transmitting only in their allotted time slot. One of ordinaryskill will recognize that frequency division multiple access (FDMA),code division multiple access (CDMA), or other channel access method maybe used to allow multiple optical XCVRs to transmit to a single opticalXCVR.

In some embodiments, the optical XCVR associated with the clock, forexample, is constructed and arranged such that each photodiode acts as aseparate receiver channel. The multi-channel optical XCVR on the clockmay be used for parallel processing of received data, for example 30students with unique name tags transmitting simultaneously. In such anembodiment, it may not be necessary to use channel access methodsbecause the optical XCVR is designed with sufficient channel capacity tohandle all incoming traffic. In some embodiments, the processor of theoptical XCVR may simultaneously process all incoming signals. Inembodiments where the processor cannot simultaneously process allincoming signals, it may be desirable to include buffers to buffer theincoming signals so that signals are processed according to the timethey were received.

In at least one embodiment, the optical XCVR associated with the clock,for example, is constructed and arranged such that each LED acts as aseparate transmission channel. The multi-channel optical XCVR on theclock may be used for parallel transmission of data, for example. Thatis, each LED in the LED array of the optical XCVR may be used tobroadcast a different data stream. So, LED1 could broadcast a datastream to computer 1, and LED2 could simultaneously broadcast adifferent data stream to computer 2, and LED3 could simultaneouslybroadcast a different data stream to computer 3, etc. It should be notedthat the optical XCVR in a clock is an exemplary embodiment. One ofordinary skill will recognize that a multi-channel optical XCVR may beembodied in numerous other devices, or as a standalone device.

As stated above, the LEDs may be bi-directional. In at least oneembodiment, the optical XCVR is comprised of bi-directional LEDs. Insuch an embodiment, the optical XCVR is constructed and arranged suchthat at least one of the bi-directional LEDs allows paralleltransmitting and receiving of light signals.

Within the disclosure provided herein, the term “processor” refers to aprocessor, controller, microprocessor, microcontroller, mainframecomputer or server, or any other device that can execute instructions,perform arithmetic and logic functions, access and write to memory,interface with peripheral devices, etc.

As described herein each, optical XCVR may also include non-volatilememory (FLASHRAM, EEPROM, and EPROM, for example) that may storefirmware for the optical XCVR, as well as text information, audiosignals, video signals, contact information for other users, etc., as iscommon with current cell phones.

In some embodiments, an optical signal amplifier is in communicationwith the photodiodes to increase the signal strength of the receivedlight signals. In at least one embodiment, the LEDs are in operativecommunication with an LED power driver, ensuring a constant currentsource for the LEDs.

In some embodiments, the XCVRs may include circuitry that performsmodulation, demodulation, data compression, data decompression, upconverting, down converting, coding, interleaving, pulse shaping, andother communication and signal processing techniques, as are known bythose of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 20-23, in this embodiment the light support 480 forthe communication system may include one or more panels or strips of LEDlight sources 306. A strip LED light source 308 may also be secured tothe exterior of a vehicle or an emergency vehicle at any location.Additional details of the light support 480 and the light source 308 canbe found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,263, e.g. in reference to FIGS. 31-35.

The LED light sources 282, 306 described in relation to any embodimentherein may be electrically coupled to each other using parallel orseries electrical connections for electrical communication to acentrally located controller 50 and power source.

Referring to FIG. 23, a panel 304 of individual LED light sources 306 isdepicted. The panel 304 may form the illumination element for the LEDcommunication system. In this embodiment each panel 304 may contain aplurality of rows 34 and columns 32, 328 of individual LED light sources306. The panels 304 are in electrical communication with the controller50 and power supply (now shown).

In one embodiment the strip LED light sources 308 may be organized intodistinct sections, segments, and/or sectors 326 for individualillumination and/or generation of a LED communication signal by thecontroller 50. Each distinct segment, section, and/or sector 326 maytherefore be illuminated with a communication message and/or distincttype of light signal, with, or without, modulated or variable lightintensity.

In at least one embodiment individual LED light sources 306 are notrequired to receive the same level of duty cycle from the controller 50.Therefore, different individual LED light sources 306 may receivedifferent duty cycles within a single light signal for generation ofdifferent LED communications.

The LED light sources 306 for generation of the pulsed lightcommunication signals may be used on other devices and are notnecessarily limited to use on an emergency vehicle. It is anticipatedthat the LED light sources 306 for generation of pulsed lightcommunication signals may be used on a variety of apparatus includingbut not limited to snowmobiles, water craft, helmets, airplanes,security badges, buoys, trains, or airport support vehicles, or thelike.

In an additional embodiment of the invention the reflector 494 may beadjustable so as to redirect and/or focus light emitted from the lightsource 282 during use. Also, the visible reflectors 494 may also haveone or more lenses equipped thereon to provide a generated signal lightor pulsed light communication signal with the ability to magnify and/ordiffuse emitted light or emitted communication signal.

In an alternative embodiment, an LED light support as described hereinor as incorporated by reference herein, having at least one LEDillumination source, may simultaneously produce and emit a light signaland a systematic information transfer through encrypted/pulsed light orsignal, where the pulsed light signal is not visible to an unaided eyeof an individual. The pulsed light signal functions as a free spacecarrier of information for processing by a receiver unit. The pulsedlight signal may also be used independently, and is not required to beincorporated as a distinguishable component of a light signal. In thisembodiment the pulsated light signal appears as a continuous lightsource.

Light emitting diodes may be manufactured to emit light at anywavelength from infrared to visible. Therefore, an almost infinitevariety of colors representative of different wavelengths of LEDs areavailable for use in the generation of a communication signal. LEDs alsoare extremely flexible in the provision of an instantaneous lightsignal, which minimizes and/or eliminates carry over illumination aftertermination of power. The termination of power to a traditional lightsource having a filament does not immediately terminate the provision oflight. A carry over illumination effect continues as the traditionallight source filament cools. The traditional light source filamenttherefore is not flexible for receipt of very rapid pulses or modulatedpower for transmission of a pulsed light communication signal.

An LED light source however is well adapted to receive a rapid pulsedpower supply for the provision of a pulsed light signal. In fact, LEDshave the capability to pulse thousands of times per second where therapid pulses are unobservable to an unaided human eye. In theseinstances, the pulsed LED light source will appear to an individual tobe continuously illuminated where the pulses are not recognizable. Adual function light signal may also be provided, which would include anobservable light signal and secondly a communication carrier which isnot normally observable within the light signal.

In at least one embodiment, the duty cycle and/or power to be providedto an LED light source 282 is regulated by a controller. The controllermay include a rapid switch to enable the rapid pulsation of electricalcurrent to the LED light source, which in turn causes the provision ofthe non-observed pulsating light. Simultaneously, the controller 50 mayalso regulate an observable light signal for illumination in minutes,seconds, and/or fractions of seconds to provide a desired type of uniquelight effect.

In one embodiment, the LED illumination sources 803 generally may beformed of solid state light components capable of high speed switching,which are able to sustain single or multi-plex channels ofcommunication, while appearing as a regular light. The LED illuminationsources 803 thereby fulfill the requirements of conventional andnon-conventional lighting as well as emergency or other types oflighting systems.

In at least one embodiment, the LED pulsed light communication system isformed of an LED support 801 having one or more first LED illuminationdevices 803 electrically coupled thereto. The LED support 801 may beformed in any shape as earlier described, or as incorporated byreference herein. The LED support 801 may also be stationary or securedto a rotational device 805 as earlier described.

In some embodiments, the first LED illumination sources 803 may becomprised of a single LED which has been selected for transmission of aspecific wavelength of emitted visible or non-visible light. Each firstLED illumination source 803 may also be positioned to the interior of acollimator reflector assembly 807. Alternatively, a stationary and/orrotatable reflector 809 may be positioned proximate to the first LEDillumination source 803 to reflect a pulsed light signal along a desiredline of sight, vector, and/or path.

In one embodiment, the LED support 801 may alternatively be formed of aplurality of first LEDs 803 having the same or different wavelengths ofemitted visible or non-visible light. The LED support 801 may also beorganized into specific sectors 811 or zones of first LED illuminationsources 803, of the same or different wavelengths of visible ornon-visible light.

In at least one embodiment, the LED support 801 and the first LED lightsources 803 are electrically coupled to a power source 813 as regulatedthrough a controller 815. The power source 813 may be a low voltage, lowcurrent power supply and may include a rechargeable battery capable ofreceiving recharge through coupling to a solar energy cell 817. Othersources of electrical power may be suitable substitutes herein. Thecontroller 815 regulates and/or modulates the duty cycle to be exposedto the individual first LED light sources 803 for the creation of adesired type and/or pattern of observable light signal. The controller815 also preferably regulates and/or modulates the duty cycle to beexposed to the individual first LED illumination sources 803, for thecreation of a desired type and/or pattern of pulsed light communicationsignal. A variable duty cycle may also be applied to the first LED lightsources 803 through the controller 815 as well as regulation of the typeor combination of distinct types of light signals as earlier described.In addition, the same types and/or combinations of types of lightsignals, whether observable light signals and/or pulsated light signals,may be provided simultaneously and/or independently of each other withindifferent sectors 811 of the LED light support 801.

In some embodiments, the combination of different colors of first LEDillumination sources 803 by the controller 815 is particularly useful inthe creation of white light which may be formed of a plurality ofindividual LED light source 803 wavelengths, where each individual firstLED light source 803 is an independent channel of pulsed light. Acomposite white light signal may therefore include in excess of 100channels of independent and distinct wavelengths of pulsed first LEDlight sources 803, where each wavelength of first LED light sources 803is pulsating at an approximate rate of 1000 pulses per second. The rapidrate of pulsation for the first LED light sources 803, produces astaggering volume of information for receipt by a second controller 827.Naturally, a significant number of second receivers 823 may be requiredto receive all transmitted information. It may also be preferable tohave the number of second receivers 823 equal or exceed the number ofwavelength channels utilized by the first LED illumination sources 803for transmission of a pulsed light communication signal.

In one embodiment, the LED light support 801 may also include a firstreceiver 819 which is electrically coupled to a converter 821. Theconverter 821 may be coupled to the controller 815. The first receiver819 is capable of recognizing and receiving a pulsed light communicationsignal which may be transmitted either as directional and/ornon-directional pulsated light.

In some embodiments, the operational range for the first receiver 819and the first LED illumination sources 803 is dependent upon theenvironmental conditions such as humidity, air pressure, airtemperature, ambient light, interference, and pollution factors. It isanticipated that in good environmental conditions that the effectiveoperational range of the first receiver 819, and first LED illuminationsources 803, may exceed one half mile, and may extend to three miles ormore. In alternative embodiments the effective operational range of thefirst receiver 819 and first LED illumination sources 803 may be lessthan one half mile in length.

In one embodiment, the first receiver 819 is constructed and arranged toreceive LED pulsed light signals as generated by a second independentLED illumination source(s) 829 having a recognizable wavelength. Thereceived LED pulsated light signal maybe converted into a digital signalby a converter 821 for communication to the controller 815. Thecontroller 815 receives the converted digital signal for processing andextraction of transmitted information to respond to an interrogation orinformation transmission request. The controller 815 may be programmedto process the received digital signal for preparation of an appropriateresponsive signal. At the direction of an individual the controller 815may communicate a responsive signal to the converter 821 which in turnconverts the responsive signal to a series of pulses for transmissionfrom the first LED illumination source 803 as a responsive pulsed LEDoptical free space communication signal.

In one embodiment, the responsive LED pulsed light signal is in turnreceived by a second receiver 823 as coupled to a second converter 825,second controller 827, and second LED illumination device 829. Thesecond receiver 823, second converter 825, and the second controller 827proceed to translate and process the pulsed light signal containingcommunications which originated from the first controller 815.

In at least one embodiment, the first controller 815 and the first LEDindividual light sources 803, as well as the second controller 827 andsecond LED illumination sources 829, are constructed and arranged toregulate the transmission of an infinite variety of pulsed LED freespace optical light signals. The types of LED pulsed optical lightsignals may include but are not necessarily limited to pre-storedcharacters, numbers, and/or words, and/or terms as identified by anassigned combination of long or short pulses or bar code type or form ofsignal 803.1, 803.2, 803.3, 803.1 a, 803.1 b, 803.1 c, 803.2 a, 803.2 b,803.2 c, 803.3 a, 803.3 b, and 803.3 c. (FIGS. 43-43C.) The pulsed LEDlight signals may be generated so that each pulsed LED light signal hasan identical duration as a portion of a communication. Alternatively,the pulsed LED light signals may have different durations. Any number ofpulsed light signals having the same or different durations may begrouped into a signal packet. Each packet or combination of signals maybe assigned a character, number, or other information as data within amemory which may be integral to a controller 815. Individual packets ofgrouped pulsed LED light signals may be combined into a message, word,and/or character for processing and/or translation by a secondcontroller 827 for communication of information to an individual. Thefirst illumination sources 803 and the second illumination sources 829are constructed and arranged to emit and/or transmit thousands of pulsesof LED light within a time period of approximately one second. Thevolume of available combinations of LED pulsed light signals within avery short period of time enables transmission of a significant amountof information subject to processing via a first or second controller815, 827.

In some embodiments, the first and second controllers 815, 827respectively, each include a memory having stored software and datafiles for processing of received LED pulsed light signals. The memoryand available stored data facilitate the immediate and automaticrecognition of an environmental condition, parameter, or generation of apre-stored pulsed light response. One example of recognition of anenvironmental condition or situation is when information is desired froma source having an interrogating or second controller 827, whichrequests through a pulsed light signal the identity and/or status of afirst controller 815. The responsive first controller 815 upon receiptof a verified interrogation signal request, initiates a responsive LEDpulsed light signal, which communicates the identification and/or otherrequested information. A second example of recognition of anenvironmental condition and/or situation is when a first receiver 819encounters a continuously emitted LED pulsed light signal which mayfunction as a warning to trigger an audible or visual alarm to the firstcontroller 815, to minimize safety risks to individuals.

In one embodiment, a first controller 815 and a second controller 827each preferably contain software establishing recognition or handshakeprotocol for acknowledgment, receipt, and transmission of informationoptically through free space LED pulsed light signals. The handshakeprotocol initiates upon the first receiver 819 acknowledging beingtagged, or receiving an initial pulsed LED light signal from a secondcontroller 827. A responsive signal is then generated by the firstcontroller 815 for transmission to the second receiver 823. Anacknowledgment message is returned by the second controller 827 to thefirst receiver 819. A pre-selected pattern of acknowledgments areinterchanged to verify readiness for transmission and receipt of desiredinformation through the transmission of free space pulsed LED lightsignals. Following transmission of the demanded information and/or data,additional verification and/or acknowledgment transmissions may occurbetween the first receiver 819 and the second receiver 823 prior to thetermination of contact through the use of a sign off protocol.

In one embodiment, the first and second receivers 819, 823 areconstructed and arranged to recognize certain wavelengths of incomingpulsed LED light signals. The first and second receivers 819, 823 may beconstructed of a plurality of photo detectors, photo diodes, opticaltransceivers, and/or photo detecting elements to simultaneously,individually, and/or sequentially receive transmissions of LED pulsedlight signals of a preset wavelength or of differing wavelengths. Thefirst and second controllers 815, 827 respectively may also be coupledto an automatic and/or manual scanner 831 or dial which may bemanipulated to tune into another wavelength of transmitted LED pulsedlight signals. For example, an individual observing a predominantly redLED light signal who is expecting to receive a transmitted pulsed LEDlight signal of a different wavelength may dial and/or tune a firstreceiver 819 to an alternative spectrum wavelength to locate the signal.Similarly, adjustments are available for other observed colors. Thescanning for pulsed LED light signals may also be automated by thescanner 831. The scanner 831 and/or first and second receivers 819, 823are constructed and arranged to independently and/or simultaneouslyreceive directional and/or non-directional pulsed LED light signals fortransmission and communication of information between geographicallyremoved LED illumination sources 803, 829. An automatic and/or manualscanner 831 or dial may also be manipulated to tune into a wavelength oftransmitted LED pulsed light signals to compensate for environmentalconditions/factors such as humidity, air pressure, air temperature,ambient light, interference, and/or pollution.

In one embodiment, the light support 801 may be integral and/or fixed toa light bar 833 as engaged to a motor vehicle or emergency vehicle 835.During use of the communications system, the second receiver 823, secondcontroller 827, and second LED illumination devices 829 may be integraland/or attached to the light bar 833. In one embodiment, the firstreceiver 819, first controller 815, and first LED illumination sources803 may be integral with and/or affixed to a motor vehicle license plate837. The license plate 837 may include a recessed area 839 or atransmission opening 841 which is adapted to receive the first receiver819 and the first LED illumination sources 803. A transparent cover 843preferably traverses the recessed area 839 and/or transmission opening841 to protect the first receiver 819 and first LED illumination sources803 from contamination during use of the pulsated light system. Abattery 845 and/or power connector 847 may be coupled to the firstcontroller 815 which is located upon the non-exterior face of thelicense plate 837. The battery 845 may be rechargeable through the useof solar powered cells or other electrical source. Further, the powerconnector 847 may be coupled to a vehicle electrical system for theprovision of power to the first controller 815, first receiver 819, andfirst LED illumination sources 803.

In one embodiment, the first controller 815 may additionally beelectrically connected to a first signaling device 849 which may beattached to the dashboard of the motor vehicle. (FIG. 38.)Alternatively, the first signaling device 849 may be wired into a radiofor a motor vehicle. The first signaling device 849 is constructed andarranged to receive a signal from the first controller 815 duringsituations in which the first receiver 819 has detected a trafficmessage as generated by a pulsed LED signal emitted from the second LEDillumination devices 829. The first signaling device 849 may provide avisual LED signal 1042 to the occupants of a motor vehicle as to thepresence of a police officer necessitating clearance of a roadway. (FIG.39.)

Alternatively, the first signaling device 849 may be coupled and/orelectrically connected to the radio of a motor vehicle to provide aninterrupt switch. Receipt of a pulsed light communication signal mayactivate the interrupt switch to cause termination of internal radio orstereo transmissions within a passenger vehicle. Alternatively, theactivation of the interrupt switch may permit initiation of apre-recorded oral communication for broadcast over a speaker system, toadvise an occupant of a motor vehicle as to the presence of an emergencysituation necessitating the clearance of a roadway. Alternatively,during periods when a motor vehicle radio has not been activated, thefirst controller 815 may activate the first signaling device 849 toengage a motor vehicle radio for the provision of an audible alarm. Thefirst controller 815 may additionally include prerecorded voicerecognition messages which may be initiated by the first controller 815upon receipt of an appropriate signal from the second LED illuminationdevices 829.

In one embodiment, the first receiver 819 may be formed of a relativelyflat and thin rectangular sensor 851 which may be positioned adjacent toa window within the interior of a motor vehicle. The first receiver 819is preferably electrically connected to both the first controller 815and the first signaling device 849. The first receiver 819 is preferablyconstructed and arranged to receive pulsed LED optical signals fortransmission to the first converter 821 for communication to the firstcontroller 815 for processing. The first receiver 819 may additionallybe constructed and arranged to receive a polarized pulsed LED lightsignal, or as filtered through a polarized window, of a motor vehicle.The first receiver 819 is preferably placed at a location about a motorvehicle which is easily accessible to transmitted directional and/ornon-directional pulsed light signals.

In at least one embodiment, the second LED illumination device 829,second controller 827, second receiver 823, and second converter 825 maybe attached or integral to the interior or exterior of an emergencyvehicle. The first signaling device 849 may also include a switch 863disposed at a convenient location within the interior of the emergencyvehicle for activation of the pulsed LED signaling and/or interrogationsystem. A scanner 865 may also be coupled to the second controller 827to facilitate recognition of the wavelength of the pulsed LED light.

In at least one embodiment, a selection switch 867 may also be coupledto the second controller 827 to regulate the emission of focused opticsand/or wide angle directional or non-directional pulsed LED lightsignals from the second LED light sources 829. A wavelength switch 869may also be coupled to the second controller 827 to enable adjustment orchange to the wavelength of emitted pulsed LED light signals. The secondcontroller 827 may also be electrically connected to a terminal 871within an emergency vehicle 835 and/or police squad automobile tovisually generate information observable on a screen or display by anofficer. (FIG. 38.)

In one embodiment, the second LED illumination device 829 and/or secondreceiver 823 may be incorporated into a hand held unit 852 for use inspecific targeting of motor vehicles by law enforcement personnel. (FIG.42.) The hand held unit 852 may include a hand grasping portion 854 anda main body portion 856. A trigger 858 may be included in the handlegrasping portion 854. The trigger 858 enables a law enforcement officerto instantaneously and selectively initiate the generation of a pulsedLED communication signal from the second LED illumination device 829 tointerrogate of a first controller 815 and first receiver 819. The mainbody portion 856 includes a forward end 861 which is the location of thesecond LED illumination device 829 and second receiver 823. The secondcontroller 827, second converter 825, and/or battery 845 may be locatedin either the main body portion 856 and/or the handle grasping portion854 dependent upon space availability considerations.

In one embodiment, the handle grasping portion 854 and/or the main bodyportion 856 may also include a selection switch 867 and/or wavelengthswitch 869 as earlier described. A scanner 865 may also be integral orconnected to the main body portion 856 for identification andrecognition of pulsed LED communication signals to be received by thereceiver 823. The hand held unit 852 and second LED illumination devices829 may also generate focused optics and/or a wide angle directional ornon-directional pulsed LED light signals within the visible ornon-visible spectrum. The hand held unit 852 may also electricallyconnected to a terminal 871 within an emergency vehicle 835 and/orpolice squad to visually generate information observable on a screen byan officer.

In one embodiment, the features as earlier identified for the pulsed LEDlight signal system as integral to a light bar 833, vehicle, and/or handheld unit 852 are equally applicable to a stationary unit 873 whichmaybe releasably mounted to a dashboard. The stationary unit 873 may beprovided with or without a hand grasping portion 854. In one embodimenta handle grasping portion 854 may also be omitted and/or eliminatedwhere the trigger 858, switch 863, select switch 867, and/or wavelengthswitch 869 are preferably located on the main body portion 856, at alocation convenient for manipulation by an officer. A scanner 865 asearlier described may also be integral or releasably coupled to thestationary unit 873. The stationary unit 873 may also be connectedand/or releasably coupled to a terminal 871 integral to an emergencyvehicle 835.

In at least one embodiment the pulsed LED light signal communicationsystem as integral to a vehicle or vehicle license plate, will transferbasic information such as make, model, license plate number, status oflicense tab registrations, driving after revocation, and/or expirationof insurance, for a tagged and/or interrogated motor vehicle. Theresponsive signal received by the second receiver 823 of the lawenforcement vehicle will be processed by the second controller 827 forcoupling to a database and/or microprocessor integral to a terminal 871within a police vehicle 835. Data therefore may be instantaneouslyretrieved for display to law enforcement personnel related to the likelyoccupant and/or criminal or driving record of the tagged vehicle,without the necessity for an officer to close distance to the suspectvehicle to permit unaided observation of the license plate 837. Ifinformation is received concerning an individual which would raise asafety concern for the law enforcement personnel, then sufficient timeis provided to immediately request backup prior to the initiation of amotor vehicle stop. The speed and ease of access to Department of MotorVehicle information to aid an officer during police activities istherefore significantly enhanced. In addition, the use of a pulsed LEDlight signal as free space carrier of information eliminates thenecessity to expend significant economic resources for costly opticalaids.

In some embodiments, the option to select from either directional ornon-directional pulsed LED signals also permits a law enforcementvehicle to interrogate a significant number and/or virtually all motorvehicles on a roadway, to search for a stolen car and/or abduction,where time is of the essence to insure safety to an individual. Inaddition, a passive search may be activated for the pulsed lightcommunication system to attempt to identify any motor vehicles within aparticular class.

In an alternative embodiment, the pulsed LED illumination system mayalso be used to enhance positioning and/or mapping of the location for,or travel route to be taken by, a vehicle or an emergency vehicle 835.In this embodiment the communication system may periodically communicatewith position locators to verify the location of a vehicle within ageographic area. This feature may be particularly useful in fire safetyapplications.

In at least one embodiment, the pulsed LED light signal may be used togenerate optical pulses to be received by a first receiver 819 totransmit a security code for access to a gated community, garage, and/orsecure parking lot. In these instances, the second LED illuminationsources 829 generate a pulsed LED light signal for receipt by the firstreceiver 819 which in turn is coupled to a first controller 815 and aswitch to open an otherwise locked gate.

In an alternative embodiment, the first controller 815 may beelectrically coupled to a motor vehicle speedometer. If the motorvehicle is tagged during law enforcement activities, then the firstcontroller 815 may signal the first LED illumination sources 803 togenerate a pulsed light communication representative of the speed of thevehicle to be received by a second receiver 823 integral to a lawenforcement vehicle 835.

In at least one embodiment a pulsed LED light signal may also be used bylaw enforcement and/or highway personnel to modify illuminated highwaysigns. In this embodiment, a second LED light source 829 may generate acoded signal for modification of a stationary illuminated street signfor display of a new message. Transportation markers such as road signsand/or mileage signs may also include a pulsed LED signaling device tocommunicate information to a motor vehicle.

The transmitted signal as received by the second receivers 823, integralto the road sign, may be processed by the second controller 827, forissuance of a message such as “congestion”, “accident”, “reduced speed”,and/or any other message as appropriate for communication of trafficconditions. Communications may therefore be passed through free-spacefrom an emergency vehicle 978, to alter roadway signs, without use ofradio frequency transmissions.

In one embodiment, the first controllers 815, of the emergency vehicle978, and the second controller 827, of the roadway signs, may performrecognition protocols to verify authenticity of transmitted instructionsand/or messages. In addition, each of the first controllers 815, of theemergency vehicle 978, and the second controllers 827, of the roadwaysigns, include identification and recording software to assist inrecording of transmitted instructions.

In an alternative embodiment the pulsed LED communication system may beincorporated into aircraft. (FIG. 28) Aircraft anti-collision systemsare extremely important for pilot and civilian safety. Some aircraftinclude transponders for use in anti-collision systems and/or TCASsystems within transponders zones proximate to an airport. Otheraircraft may pass through regulated transponder zones where the aircraftdoes not include anti-collision transponders. The risk of air collisionwithin restricted transponder zones is increased by the existence ofnon-transponder aircraft.

In the past, there has generally been two different versions of TCASwhere the first version indicates the bearing and relative altitude ofan aircraft within a selected range of approximately 10 to 20 miles ofanother transponder equipped aircraft. Within this first TCAS system anair traffic advisory may be issued to identify the intruding aircraft,which may permit the increase or decrease of a planes altitude by up toapproximately 300 feet. The initial TCAS system does not providesolutions for air anti-collision avoidance, however, the TCAS initialsystem provides pilots with important information to initiate a coursecorrection to avoid collision. In a second version of TCAS, a pilot isprovided with resolution advisories. This TCAS system determines thecourse of each aircraft and whether the aircraft is climbing,descending, or flying straight and level. The enhanced TCAS systemissues resolution advisories to pilots to execute types of evasivemaneuvering necessary to avoid collision. If both aircraft are equippedwith the enhanced TCAS system, then the two computers on the respectiveaircraft offer the conflicting resolution advisories. Non-conflictingresolution advisories prevent course alternations which wouldeffectively cancel anti-collision corrections between the two aircraftwhich would result in a continued threat.

In one embodiment, the pulsated LED communication system may beincorporated into a rotating or flashing beacon 878, which is secured tothe exterior of the fuselage of the aircraft 876. Certain aircraft 876,may utilize one or more beacons 878, within the pulsed LED communicationsystem. Each beacon 878, may be formed of a light support 801, and firstLED illumination sources 803, as earlier described. In addition, thefirst LED illumination sources 803, may be positioned within astationary panel or may be incorporated within a rotational device 805,as earlier described. In the event that a stationary LED light support801 is utilized within the beacon 878, then a rotatable reflectorassembly 809, may be positioned over and/or adjacent to the LED lightsupport 801, to facilitate the appearance of rotation. Alternatively,the LED illumination sources 803, may be selectively illuminated by thefirst controller 815, to provide and impart the appearance of rotationfor the beacon 878. The LED light support 801, may be organized intosectors 811 of individual LED illumination sources 803, having differentwavelengths of emitted light as earlier described. The beacon 878, maytherefore, incorporate dual functionality of a visible illuminationsource and a non-visible pulsed light communication system fortransmission of information between the first LED illumination sources803, and a second removed receiver 823.

The beacon 878, first LED illumination sources 803, and any rotationaldevice 805, are in communication with the first controller 815, which isconstructed and arranged to provide modulated light intensity to thefirst LED illumination sources 803. The modulated light intensity may beprovided to regulate the rate of pulsation of the first LED illuminationsources 803, during the generation of a pulsed LED communication signal.

In one embodiment the pulsated light signals as emitted from the firstLED illumination sources 803, as regulated by the first controller 815,may be either encoded and/or encrypted for receipt by the secondreceiver 823, located at a remote position relative to the aircraft 876.The pulsed LED illumination signals as generated by the first LEDillumination sources 803, communicate information as to the identity ofthe aircraft 876, and/or the position of an aircraft 876, relative to anobstacle and/or tower.

In one embodiment, an observable light signal may be generated from thefirst LED illumination sources 803, as an anti-collision light source,at a rate of 20 to 60 cycles per minute. A non-observable pulsated lightsource may be generated by the first LED illumination signals 803, at arate of 80 hertz and preferably 100 hertz or greater.

In at least one embodiment an operator may select from a number ofpre-stored pulsed light combinations representative of information to becommunicated via the first controller 815. Alternatively, real timecommunications may be transmitted by pulsed light signal via the use ofa keyboard or voice activated system where the controller 815,translates the information into combinations of pulsed light signals fortransmission to a second receiver 823. A second receiver 823, preferablyreceives the generated pulsed LED signals for initial processing and fortransfer to a second controller 827, for communication to an individualor system. The first controller 815 may also be constructed and arrangedto communicate pulsed light signals containing information such as callsign, type, destination, flight plan, and/or other pre-programmedinformation for an aircraft 876.

In at least one embodiment, the first controller 815 includes filteringprogramming having a sufficient level of sophistication to eliminaterecognition of false light signals which may occur from a source such assunlight during analysis of received pulsed LED light signals. Thecontroller 815 may also include a handshake protocol to assist inrecognition of a pulsed LED communication signals. The handshakeprotocol may include an alternating pre-set pattern of ultra high speedpulsating LED light signals of the same or different wavelengths as maybe transmitted in a pre-determined and recognizable combination, priorto the transmission of information between a first controller 815, and asecond receiver 823. The second controller 827, is preferablyconstructed and arranged to search for and focus upon the pre-setpatterns of pulsed LED communication signals to finalize the handshakerecognition protocol for elimination of interference light signals. Thelight support may also include any number of filters proximate to thereceivers 819, for elimination of undesirable light signals.

The pulsed LED communication system for use in association with anaircraft 876, preferably augments any available TCAS system. The pulsedLED communication system may additionally function as a backup to thetransponder of the anti-collision TCAS system. The pulsed LED lightsignal system may also be used in an airport air traffic environment forVFR pattern verification and control. This is accomplished by thegeneration and receipt of pulsed light communication signals betweenfirst and second signaling devices as previously described.

In one embodiment, the first controller 815, maybe positioned proximateto the control panel of an aircraft 876, for regulation of thetransmission of information and/or data via the first LED illuminationsources 803.

In at least one embodiment, the controller 815, may receive convertedpulsed LED communication signals for processing, in order to communicateinformation to a pilot and/or air traffic controller. The controller 815within an aircraft preferably regulates the transmission of data viapulsed LED light signals for transmission to other aircraft and/or toweroptical receivers 823. The initiation of the pulsed LED communicationsystem may be continuous or occur at any time as selected by a pilot.

In one embodiment, the controller 815, may transmit more than a singlelight signal and more than one pulsed LED light signal simultaneouslyfrom independent sectors 811 of the light support.

In at least one embodiment, a second aircraft 882, and/or groundlocation 884, may have one or more second receivers 823 and secondcontrollers 827, where at least one of said second receivers 823 andsecond controllers 827, are constructed and arranged to simultaneouslyreceive one or more pulsed communication signals as generated from eachgroup and/or sector 811 of LEDs 803. In at least one embodiment thesecond controller 827, is constructed and arranged to collate, decode,translate, and organize the simultaneously received pulsed LEDcommunication signals into a composite decoded message.

In some embodiments, the speed of transmission and receipt of pulsed LEDcommunication signals enables messages to be encrypted to provide forthe secure transmission of information for receipt by a ground location884, and/or second aircraft 882. The speed of pulsed LED light signalsmay exceed two kilohertz. The most readily apparent limitation on thetransmission of encrypted messages relates to the size of the one ormore second receivers 823, for receipt of any encrypted pulsed LEDcommunication signals. The second controller 827, may also include anydesired passwords or verification messages to insure the validity ofreceipt of secure transmissions. Communication of pulsed LED lightsignals may be terminated by a first controller 815, at any time when aninitial and/or periodic required responsive pulsed LED communicationsignal is not received by the first receiver 819, and/or the accuracy ofthe received LED communication signal is not verifiable. In someembodiments the first controller 815 may include software to terminatetransmission in the event that a responsive communication signal havingthe appropriate security message is not received.

In one embodiment an array of second receivers 823 may be used on theaircraft. Each array of second receivers 823 maybe interfaced within anaircraft 876 TCAS anti-collision system for detection of pulsed LEDcommunication signals. In this embodiment it is desirable to determinewhether a transmitted pulsed LED communication signal is occurring in acrossing direction relative to the array, where the transmitted LEDcommunication signal is sequentially detected and/or tracked by adjacentsecond receivers 823. If sequential detection of the communicationsignal occurs by the second receivers 823, then a second aircraft 882,maybe identified as flying in a crossing pattern relative to the firstaircraft 876, minimizing risk of collision. Alternatively, if a singlesecond receiver 823, or group of receivers 823, continuously receives apulsed LED communication signal and no sequential tracking is detected,then it is likely that the second aircraft 882, is on a constant bearingdecreasing range course necessitating an anti-collision coursecorrection. A visual and/or audible alarm may be provided by the secondcontroller 827, in the event that the second receivers 823, and/or groupof second receivers 823, continuously receive a transmitted LED pulsedlight signal for a period of time exceeding approximately three to fiveseconds. The second controller 827, may be programmed to include anydesired period of time as a threshold prior to triggering of the visualand/or audio alarm within the aircraft TCAS system, advising of theexistence of a constant bearing decelerating range second aircraft 882.

In at least one embodiment, the alarm 890, triggered by the secondcontroller 827, may advise a pilot by reciting audible warning terms,and may further provide a direction for the received signal. In thisembodiment, the individual second receivers 823, may each be associatedwith a pre-stored site within the second controller 827. The receipt ofa pulsed LED light signal may therefore be traced by the secondcontroller 827, to a second receiver site 823, to indicate the generaldirection of the source of the pulsed LED communication signal. Eachsecond receiver 823, may be assigned a different site especially whentwo or more arrays, are utilized on an aircraft 876.

In one embodiment, the communication system may further be coupled to anaccelerometer which senses aircraft 876 deceleration rates beyondexpected parameters. An accelerometer may activate the emergency beacon,and may initiate a pulsed LED communication signal includingpreprogrammed information related to aircraft call sign, type of craft,GPS coordinates and destination, once an unacceptable deceleration rateis detected. The transmission of pulsed LED communication signalsthereby augments the current emergency locator transmitter signals foridentification of the location of a downed aircraft 876.

In one embodiment, the systematic information transfer throughencrypted/pulsed light system may also be incorporated into an airporttower 894, and/or obstacle 896, such as a power line support towerand/or radio tower

In one embodiment the encrypted/pulsed light communication system asengaged to an airport tower 894, and/or obstacle 896, may be formed of alight support 801, having first LED illumination elements 803, asearlier described. The light support 801, may be attached to arotational device 805 for rotation where the light support may includerotational reflectors 809, as earlier described. Alternatively, acontroller 815, may provide modulated light intensity in associationwith selective illumination of first LED light sources 803, to generatethe appearance of rotation as earlier identified.

In one embodiment the signal as generated from a tower 894 and/orobstacle 896 may carry signals representative of characters, numerals,and/or words in a free space transmission. The generated pulsed signalsmay be utilized for aircraft identification, anti-collision, relayatmospheric conditions, aircraft guidance, and general illumination. Thelight sources utilized in association with a tower 894, and/or obstacle896, maybe red in color relating to a pre-selected wavelength inaccordance with FAA regulations.

In one embodiment, an aircraft 876, may further include the second LEDillumination sources 829, for transmission of the light signals to thefirst receiver 819, integral to the obstacle 896, and/or tower 894. Thefirst controller 815 as engaged to the obstacle 896 or tower 894, mayreceive and process a message received from the second controller 827,to record data such as the aircraft identification, time, and date. Inaddition, the plurality of first receivers 819, may be set at differentwavelengths for receipt of pulsed light communication signals. Themodulated or reduced duty cycle at certain LED wavelengths may functionas a distance indicator relative to the obstacle 896. For example, afirst wavelength may be selected where a successful handshake protocolbetween the first LED illumination sources 803 of the obstacle 896, andthe second receivers 823 of the aircraft 876, and the return signal fromthe second LED illumination sources 829, for receipt at the firstreceivers 819 of the obstacle 896, indicate an approximate firstdistance of three miles between the aircraft 876, and the obstacle 896.A selected different wavelength emitted from the first LED illuminationsources 803 at a reduced modulated duty cycle as regulated by controller815, may be recognized by the second receivers 823, only when thedistance between the obstacle 896, and the aircraft 876, has beenreduced to a distance of two miles or less. The successful handshakeprotocol related to the second wavelength emitted by the first LEDillumination sources 803, indicates that the aircraft 876, has closeddistance with respect to the obstacle 896, by approximately one mile.Additionally, many features may be included within successivewavelengths to warn the second controller 827, and aircraft 876, as tothe proximity to a hazard and/or obstacle 896. The pulsed lightcommunication signals may be audible alarms, visual LED lights, and/orvoice signals.

In one embodiment, any number of distance warnings relative to anobstacle 896 may be emitted from the first LED illumination sources 803.In addition, for each successive pulsed LED communication signal mayincrementally escalate in warning content. For example, the three milepulsed light communication signal may be relatively passive. The twomile pulsed light communication signal may be more severe in theflashing of the lights and buzzing of the audible signals. The two milepulsed light communication signal may also transmit to a pilot harassingsignals, and the one mile pulsed light communication signal may be quiteobnoxious. In addition, each successive wavelength having reducedmodulated duty cycle intensity, may be set at a different repetitivecycle. For example, the three mile pulsed light communication signal mayrepeat every 15 seconds. The two mile pulsed light communication signalmay repeat every 7 seconds, and the one mile pulsed light communicationsignal may continuously repeat.

In at least one embodiment, the issuance of continuous warning pulsedLED light communication signals may occur until such time as acompliance signal is generated by the second controller 827, indicatingalteration of course of the aircraft 876.

In at least one embodiment, in addition to the first controller 815,simultaneously emitting any number of pulsed LED light communicationsignals the first controller 815 may alter the observed visual lightsignal by generation of a faster and/or slower observable light signal.The transition between observable light signals may occur as thecontroller initiates the transmission of the second or third pulsed LEDlight communication signals.

In at least one embodiment, the real-time transmission of informationbetween a second controller 827 and a first controller 815, may occur bythe exchange of pulsed LED light communication signals as related tocurrent air traffic proximate to a tower 894, wind direction, windspeed, visibility, ceiling, and/or weather conditions or otherinformation which may be useful to a pilot. Real-time informationreceived from the second controller 827, may be processed for visualdisplay on a screen integral to a cockpit. (FIG. 41.) Alternatively,real-time information received by the second controller 827, may beprocessed for generation of voice information and instructions bytransmission through a speaker integral to a cockpit or throughheadphones.

In one embodiment a pilot may select a particular wavelength of pulsedLED light communication signals for receipt of a particular class ofinformation. For example, a first wavelength may continuously emitinformation as to the coordinates or location of an obstacle 896. Asecond wavelength may provide air traffic control information. A thirdwavelength may provide information as to weather and a fourth wavelengthmay provide navigation guides.

In one embodiment the systematic information transfer throughencrypted/pulsed light systems may be used to transmit approach and/orposition information to an aircraft 876. An acknowledgment protocol asearlier described may be used between an aircraft 876 and/or tower 894to facilitate landing. Real-time flight information may also beexchanged between the aircraft 876, and the tower 894, related to theaircraft identity, altitude, direction, rate of descent, and winddirection, wind speed, ceiling, instrument approaches, visibility,traffic conditions, landing clearance, as well as other types ofaircraft landing information.

The systematic information transfer encrypted/pulsed light signal systemmay additionally be utilized in conjunction with airport taxi lights898, runway lights 900, runway approach lights 902, and airport supportvehicle lights 904.

In one embodiment the system as utilized in association with a pluralityof taxi lights 898, generally places a second LED light support 801,having the second LED light sources 829, and second receivers 823,integral to the marker 910. Each taxi light 898, may be powered by ahardwired electrical source and/or connected to a battery which may berechargeable. Each taxi light 898, second illumination source 829,and/or second receiver 823, is also electrically connected to a secondcontroller 827, which may be separated from the taxi lights 898, at acentral location. A second converter 825, may be coupled to the secondcontroller 827, for conversion of electrical signals from the secondreceiver 823, to digital signals, for processing within the secondcontroller 827. The second controller 827, is constructed to passinformation to a control center and/or control tower 894, by opticalpulsed light within the LED system or via wire connections. More thanone controller 827, may be in communication with a single and/or groupof taxi lights 898.

In one embodiment the taxi lights 898, as a portion of the system may beorganized into patterns and/or groups. Each collection, pattern, and/orgroup of taxi lights 898, may be in electrical communication with one ormore second controllers 827. Further, a second controller 827, may be incommunication directly with a control tower 894, or an additional maincontroller to facilitate transfer of information through a communicationsystem. The signaling system in this embodiment may facilitate thetracking of aircraft 876 on the ground or as adjacent to a runway 906,and/or airport

In one embodiment each taxi light 898, in addition to the transmissionof a signal indicating proximity of an aircraft, may transmit to thecontrol tower 894, a pulsed LED communication signal which identifies,the location of the individual taxi light. Traffic controllers withinthe control tower 894, may therefore be provided with real-timepositioning of an aircraft 876, taxiing adjacent to a runway 906,without reliance upon radio frequency communications.

In one embodiment a tower 894, may contact a second controller 827, foractivation of a selected taxi light 898, to transfer a desiredpre-stored and/or real-time pulsed communication signal to the aircraft876. Traffic regulation signals such as: delay gate departure; remain ina stationary position relative to the taxi way; or proceed to the end ofthe runway, may occur without the need for radio frequencytransmissions.

In one embodiment the systematic information transfer throughencrypted/pulsed light system may also be included as an integralcomponent of a runway 906, lighting system. The runway lighting systemincludes the same LED transmission and receptor components as earlierdescribed in association with the taxi lights 898, and/or aircraft 876.The runway lights 900, are regularly spaced along and are positionedadjacent to a runway 906. The runway lights 900 simultaneously provideillumination of a runway 906, and transmit communication signals throughfree space transmissions.

In one embodiment, an aircraft hold situation, the second controller 827may flash a portion of the runway lights 900, to communicate thattakeoff clearance has been delayed. In addition, the runway lights 900,and particularly the second receiver 823, and second controller 827, mayreceive instructions through the use of a signal generated from a tower894.

In one embodiment the communication system may be incorporated intorunway approach lights 902. The approach lights 902, may include a lightsupport 801, second LED illumination sources 829, second receivers 823,and second controller 827 as earlier described. The features andfunctions as earlier described related to the taxi lights 898, and/orrunway lights 900, are equally applicable to the runway approach lights902.

In some embodiments, the tower 894, may track an approach vector for anaircraft 876, through radar/VFR air traffic control systems. As a backupto the radio frequency communications, duplicate instructions may betransmitted by the approach lights 902, for receipt by the firstreceivers 819, integral to the aircraft 876. Simultaneously, an airplane876, may transmit pulsed communication signals identifying informationrelated to vector, rate of descent, speed, and altitude in real-time, tothe control tower 894. A computer/processor may receive datacommunicated by the LED pulsed light communication system forverification of acceptable approach parameters. Analysis of the aircraftapproach may result in the transmission through radio frequency andsignals of an abort approach message due to the existence ofunacceptable approach parameters. Alternatively, a tower 894, maytransmit through the approach lights 902, and/or by issuance of radiofrequency and/or communications, that approach parameters for anaircraft 876 are required to be modified for a successful landing. Theapproach lights 902, may alternatively continuously transmit throughemission of communications information such as wind direction, windvelocity conditions, weather information, runway status, ceilinginformation, and/or other information as appropriate to facilitatelanding of the aircraft 876.

In one embodiment the approach lights 902, as regulated by the secondcontroller 827, may also alter a pattern of strobe or other observedillumination during approach to a runway 906. The alteration of apattern of illumination for the approach lights 902, and/or the color ofthe transmitted light, may function as an additional visual indicator toan aircraft 876.

It should be noted that free space transmissions described herein foraircraft may be equally applicable for communications outside theearth's atmosphere as related to communications in space.

In one embodiment the second controller 827 for an airport servicevehicle 912, may include preprogrammed locations relative to an airport.An individual may therefore select an appropriate location via an entrypad or keyboard to alter the pulsed signal to be transmitted to acontrol location or tower 894 to reflect a change in position of theairport service vehicle 912. Alternatively, a plurality of positionalreceivers may be disposed at various locations about an airport. In thisembodiment, the airport service vehicle light 904, continuously emits anidentification signal which is detected by at least one adjacentpositional receiver. Upon receipt of the signal from the airport servicevehicle 904, a pulsated light position indicator signal is generated toeither an aircraft 876, and/or tower 894, by the positional receiver.The second LED illumination sources 829, as coupled to the positionalreceivers may simultaneously communicate a pulsed signal representativeof the location of the positional receivers as well as theidentification of the type of signal received indicating the type ofairport service vehicle 904 which is proximate to the positionedreceivers.

In one embodiment each second controller 827, as integral to an airportservice vehicle 904, may include a pre-programmed coded pulsed signalidentifying the particular type and/or function for an airport servicevehicle 912. Alternatively, the type of aircraft service vehicle 912,may be indicated through the signals of different and independentwavelengths.

In one embodiment the use of a communication system in association withan airport service vehicle light 904, enables communication to thecockpit for an aircraft 876, to indicate the real-time status of foodreplacement, fuel delivery, baggage loading or unloading, and/ormaintenance completion. A pilot may therefore advise the crew and/orpassengers as to the status of a craft to assist in departure. Inaddition, a LED light communication system in association with anaircraft 876 may expedite communication that the aircraft 876, is readyand available to receive food, fuel, and/or baggage which in turnenables faster preparation for continued aircraft service.

The components, features, and applications as earlier described relatedto the LED pulsed light communication system are equally applicable foruse in a marine application.

In one embodiment an LED light support 801, having first LEDillumination sources 803, may be placed at a suitable location aboard afirst vessel 916. (FIG. 29.) The LED light support 801, may include arotational device 805, collimator assembly 807, stationary and/orrotatable reflectors 809, and/or sectors 811, and/or differentwavelengths of LED light sources as earlier described. The LED lightsupport 801, may be coupled to a vessel power supply and/or may bebattery operated having rechargeable solar cells or wave-actiongenerators.

In one embodiment a second LED light support 801, having second LEDillumination sources 829, second receiver 823, second converter 825, andsecond controller 827, may be integral to a marine buoy 918, lighthouse920, and/or other vessel.

In one embodiment the communication system as used in association inassociation with a marine buoy 918, preferably enables enhancedvisualization of the location of the buoy 918, while simultaneouslytransmitting an LED pulsed light communication signal to indicatepre-programmed and/or real-time information for transmission to a vessel916. A second controller 827, as integral to the marine buoy 918, maytransmit pre-stored information such as the identification number of thebuoy, the fact that the buoy may be used as an east channel marker, andthe depth of the water at the location of buoy 918. In addition, thesecond receivers 823, may be disposed about the buoy 918, at variouslocations, where an individual second receiver 823, will only detect atransmitted signal at such times as a first vessel 916, is outside of amarked channel. In this instance the selected second receiver 823, willgenerate a signal to the second controller 827, which will in turngenerate a warning signal to the first vessel 916, that the first vessel916, is outside of the marked main channel and may be on a course forrunning aground and/or striking underwater obstacles.

In one embodiment, the buoy 918, may receive information concerning avessel 916, and then forward the identity of the vessel 916, to a secondbuoy 918, and/or a harbor control center through the use of LED pulsedcommunication signals. Any number of buoys 918, may be utilized tosequentially transmit pulsed LED communication signals to a harbormaster concerning a vessel 916.

In one embodiment, the first controller 815, as integral to the vessel916, and the second controller 827, as integral to the buoy 918, mayalso include a pre-stored and/or pre-programmed recognition protocolrelated to pulsed LED light communication signals as earlier described.

In at least one embodiment, the second LED illumination sources 829, asintegral to the buoy 918, may be constructed and arranged to provide avisual LED signal within the red and/or green spectrums for use asnavigation aids.

In some embodiments, a harbor master may also utilize a series of buoys918, to sequentially transmit a communication to a first vessel 916, forregulation of marine traffic through a channel. In addition, the buoy918 may be used as a position identification and/or obstacle marker.

In at least one embodiment, the buoy 918 may communicate informationsuch as longitude and latitude coordinates for the buoy 918. Inaddition, a buoy 918, may become activated and transmit signals at suchtime as the second receiver 823, receives a triggering signal from afirst set of LED illumination sources 803, integral to a first vessel916. Each buoy 918, may also transmit real-time information such aswater temperature, barometric pressure, changes in barometric pressure,temperature, and/or wind speed and direction through the use ofcommunication signals.

In at least one embodiment, buoy's 918 utilizing communication signalsmay also track marine traffic. In the event that a vessel 916 becomesoverdue, then a retrieval craft such as an airplane or helicopter may bedispatched by an entity such as the Coast Guard having interrogationcapabilities. An investigating vessel or aircraft may then fly withinrange of a buoy 918, and transmit an interrogation signal which willtrigger the second controller 827, to dump all pre-stored marine trafficdata for transmission to the interrogation vessel or aircraft via aresponsive communication signal. A searching vessel may thereby identifytime and direction of travel for a lost vessel to narrow a search area,thereby improving the probability of survivor retrieval.

In at least one embodiment, a vehicle such as an aircraft 876, may flywithin the proximity of a buoy 918, for transmission of a first signalto be received by the second receiver 823, to modify futurecommunications generated by the buoy 918.

In one embodiment, communication signals may also be transmitted betweena first vessel 916, and a lighthouse 920, in a manner as earlierdescribed. Communications being generated by a lighthouse 920, areanticipated to be prominently pre-recorded and/or pre-storedcommunication. It is anticipated that the communication signals asgenerated by a lighthouse 920, will transmit information such aslongitude and/or latitude or other coordinates, and navigationinformation which will assist a first vessel 916, from approaching amarine hazard.

In one embodiment, the components, features, and applications as earlierdescribed related to the LED pulsed light communication system areequally applicable for use in a subway, bus, and/or mass transitapplication. (FIGS. 30 and 33.) For convenience, the subway, bus, and/ormass transit vehicle will be identified by the numeral 924. Thesubway/bus 924, preferably includes the elements as earlier identifiedand described related to the LED light support 801, first LEDillumination sources 803, collimator assembly 807, sectors 811, powersource 813, first controller 815, first receiver 819, and converter 821.

In one embodiment, a second receiver 823, second converter 825, secondcontroller 827, and second LED illumination sources 829, as earlierdescribed are preferably constructed and arranged for attachment to astreet sign, building, structure and/or traffic light 926.

In one embodiment, for the mass transit application, the firstcontroller 815, as integral to the bus and/or subway 924, includespre-stored information as to the vehicle identification number,schedule, and vehicle route. The second controller 827, as integral tothe street sign, building, structure and/or traffic light 926, includespre-stored identification information such as a position locationrelative to a map. Within the subway mass transit application positionidentifiers 928, may be regularly spaced along a route in substitutionfor the street sign/traffic lights 926.

In one embodiment, the first controller 815, will signal initiation of afirst pulsed light communication signal to be transmitted for detectionby the second receivers 823, and/or position identifier 928. The secondcontroller 827, or position identifier 928, will process the receivedsignal for generation of a second LED pulsed light signal for transferto a centrally located third receiver 930, as connected to a thirdconverter 932, third controller 934, and third LED illumination device936. The third receiver 930, third controller 934, and/or third LEDillumination device 936, are preferably elevated with respect to thestreet signs 926, and/or position identifiers 928, in order to receivepulsed LED communication signals from a plurality of street signs 926,and/or position identifiers 928. The third controller 934 may beelectrically coupled to a traffic processor 938, which functions as acentral processing and tracking location related to signals receivedfrom the third controllers 934.

In one embodiment, the second controller 827, and/or position identifier928, may record the first signal received from the first controller 815.The second controller 827 may then relay the first signal, includingvehicle identification, along with additional information such as anidentification signal corresponding to a street sign 926, and/orposition identifier 928, and a signal corresponding to the time of thetransmission to a third controller 934 for communication to a trafficprocessor 938.

In one embodiment, the traffic processor 938, may compare theinformation to a preset map and/or schedule for transmission of signalsback to the street signs 926, and/or position identifiers 928. Thestreet signs 926, and position identifiers 928, as receiving a signalfrom the traffic processor 938, may initiate the transmission ofadditional signals for receipt by a plurality of displays 940, which maybe used to communicate the status, tracking and/or location of abus/subway 924 proceeding along a pre-selected route. Potentialpassengers waiting for a bus/subway 924, may therefore track inreal-time the location of the bus/subway 924. Additionally, bus stopand/or subway connection information may also be transmitted by pulsedLED communication signals for receipt by and placement upon the displays940, to assist passengers during travel activities.

In one embodiment, each subway/bus 924, may also include a display 940,which is adapted to receive a second pulsed light communication signalsas generated by a street sign 926, and/or position identifier 928, forprocessing by a first controller 815. The location identifiers from thestreet signs/traffic light 926, and/or position identifiers 928, mayassist passengers to identify the real-time location of the vehicle withrespect to a pre-selected route.

In one embodiment, the first receiver 819, second receiver 823, and/orthird receivers 930, may be adapted to receive any wavelength ofgenerated LED pulsed light signal. In addition, each of the firstcontrollers 815, second controllers 827, and/or third controllers 934,may be coupled to a scanner 831, which searches to identify transmittedsignals used to communicate tracking and/or other information within amass transit application.

In one embodiment, a plurality of third controllers 934 may be disposedin any desired pattern as elevated with respect to an urban environmentfor relay of communications to assist in the tracking, regulation, andcontrol of mass transit.

In one embodiment the components, features, and applications as earlierdescribed related to the LED pulsed light communication system areequally applicable for use in an OPTICOM intersection clearingapplication. The OPTICOM intersection clearing device is generallyreferred herein as the OPTICOM device identified by the numeral 942.(FIG. 24.) The OPTICOM device 942, includes a second receiver 823,second converter 825, second controller 827, and second LED illuminationsources 829 as earlier described. In addition, the OPTICOM device 942,includes an LED support 801, having sectors 811. The OPTICOM device 942,may be electrically coupled to a main power supply for a traffic signal926, and may be constructed to have a backup power supply such as abattery which is rechargeable through the use of a solar cell.

In one embodiment the OPTICOM device 942, and second controller 827, areconnected to an override switch which is integral to the traffic light926. A police, ambulance, fire, or other emergency vehicle during anemergency situation frequently requires the immediate transposition of asemaphore to a green traffic condition signal, to facilitate speed ofarrival at an emergency situation. In addition, the first system asintegral to an emergency vehicle may also include a first receiver 819.During use of the OPTICOM device 942, an officer or emergency personnelwill activate a switch to initiate the first controller 815, to generatea first communication signal for transmission from the first LEDillumination sources 803. The first pulsed light signal will be receivedby the second receiver 823, integral to the OPTICOM device 942. Thesecond controller 827, of the OPTICOM device 942, will then trigger theoverride switch to instantaneously transition the semaphore from eithera red or amber signal to a green light signal to permit passage of anemergency vehicle through an intersection.

In one embodiment at such time as the second receiver 823, terminatesdetection of the signal as generated by the first LED illuminationsources 803, a pre-programmed timing delay may be initiated fordeactivation of the override switch to return the traffic light 926,and/or semaphore to a normal operational condition. Alternatively, theemergency vehicle may transmit a communication signal indicating that avehicle has completed the passage through the intersection fordeactivation of the override switch to return the semaphore/trafficlight 926, to a standard operational condition. A recognition protocolas earlier described may be used in association with the OPTICOM device942.

In one embodiment the components, features, and applications as earlierdescribed related to the LED pulsed light communication system areequally applicable for use within a railroad crossing application.(FIGS. 31 and 32.) Generally, black and white railroad crossing signshaving no alarm and/or gate are utilized in most rural environments dueto the low level of traffic, and cost of additional warning indicators.

In one embodiment a railroad crossing signal 946 is formed of an LEDsupport 801, having first LED illumination sources 803, which may beorganized into sectors 811. In addition, the railroad crossing signal946 may include a collimator assembly 807, a power source 813, a firstcontroller 815, a solar energy cell 817, a first receiver 819, and aconverter 821 as earlier described. The elements of the railroadcrossing signal 946 are preferably directly attached to a railroadcrossing sign pole as placed adjacent to rural railroad crossings.

In one embodiment the LED light support 801 is adapted for illuminationof the LED light sources as a warning signal. The railroad crossingsignal 946 may also include an audible alarm 948, which may be used togenerate a buzzing, bell, and/or siren signal which is used to warnmotor vehicles as to the existence of a train 950.

In one embodiment, a second LED light support 801, having second LEDillumination devices 829 as earlier described, is positioned proximateto the front 952 of the train 950. In addition, a third LED lightsupport 801, including a third receiver, third converter 932, thirdcontroller 934, and third LED illumination sources 936 as earlierdescribed, may be positioned proximate to the back 954 of the train 950.

In one embodiment, the second controller 827, and second LEDillumination sources 829, are continuously flashing a visible lightsignal which may include a modulated duty cycle as earlier described.The second controller 827, and second LED illumination sources 829, arealso constructed and arranged to continuously emit communication signalsas earlier described. The communication signals may transmit arecognition protocol as earlier described and are adapted for detectionby the first receivers 819, as integral to the railroad crossing sign956. The first controller 815, interprets the first communication signalfor activation of the first LED illumination sources 803, for theprovision of a warning light signal and simultaneously may activate theaudible alarm 948.

In one embodiment, the railroad crossing signal 946 may include firstreceivers 819 as earlier described, positioned on opposite sides of therailroad crossing sign 956, along an axis parallel to the direction ofthe travel of the train 950.

In one embodiment, the end and/or caboose of the train 950, includes athe third set of LED illumination devices 936 for generation of a secondcommunication signal. Once a train 950, has passed a railroad crossing,the transmission of the second communication signal may be detected bythe first receiver 819, located on the opposite side of the sign 956,which deactivates the audible alarm 948, and/or the warning signal lightas generated by the first controller 815. Alternatively, the firstcontroller 815 may include a timer for deactivation of the visible lightsignal and audible alarm 948 following passage of a pre-selected periodof time. The first communication signal and the second communicationsignal may be formed of different patterns or wavelengths of pulsatedlight signals.

In one embodiment, a motor vehicle 835 may include a fourth receiver,fourth converter, a fourth controller, a fourth LED illumination device,and an override switch as earlier described. The fourth receiver isadapted to receive the first communication signal from train in a mannersimilar to the railroad crossing signal. The receipt of the initialcommunication signal may be processed by the fourth controller foractivation of an override switch, which may be electrically coupled tothe radio of the motor vehicle 835. In addition, the fourth controllermay be coupled to the fourth LED illumination devices, which may bepositioned to the interior proximate to the dashboard of the motorvehicle 835. The receipt by the fourth receiver, of the firstcommunication signal as generated by the train 950, causes thecontroller to initiate the illumination of the fourth LED illuminationsources, for observation by an individual, as a visual indicator as tothe existence and proximity of a train 950. Alternatively, an audiblewarning signal may be generated.

In one embodiment, the components, features, and applications as earlierdescribed related to the LED pulsed light communication system areequally applicable for use in an urban suburban communication system966. (FIGS. 30 and 33.)

In one embodiment, the urban suburban communication system 966, isgenerally formed of an LED light support 801, having first LEDillumination sources 803, formed into sectors 811 as earlier described.The urban suburban communication system 966, also includes a main powersource 813, as earlier described along with a battery backup powersource which may be formed of a rechargeable solar cell 817. The urbansuburban communication system 966, further includes at least one firstcontroller 815, at least one first receiver 819, and at least one firstconverter 821 as earlier described. The urban suburban communicationsystem 966, is positioned to the top of a central building 968, or tower970, as related to a geographic area.

In one embodiment, the urban suburban communication system 966, may alsobe formed of a plurality of relay sites 972, which include at least onesecond receiver 823, at least one second converter 825, at least onesecond controller 827, and at least one set of second LED illuminationsources 829 as earlier described. The relay sites 972 may be secured tostreet and/or traffic signals 926, and/or street lamps. Alternatively,the relay sites 972 may be placed at any desired location within anurban/suburban environment. Any number of relay sites 972, may be usedfor detection of initial communication signals.

In one embodiment, the relay sites 972, transmit and/or receivecommunication signals to and/or from a user site which may be externaland/or electrically connected to the interior of a dwelling, building,and/or other structure 976. The user sites may include at least onethird receiver 930, at least one third converter 932, at least one thirdcontroller 934, and at least one set of third LED illumination sources936 as earlier described. The user site is electrically coupled to avisual display 940, audible alarm, and/or LED light support 801, havingLED illumination sources. Each communication signal may therefore bepassed from the first LED light sources 803, to a second receiver 823,integral to an initial relay site 972, for successive transmission toadditional second receivers 823, of relay sites 972, for finaltransmission to a third receptor 930, integral to a user site. The thirdcontroller 934, may then process the final signal at the dwelling,building, and/or structure 976, for issuance of a signal on the display940, activation of an LED light on a light support 801, and/oractivation of an audible alarm. Communication signals may therefore beprocessed sequentially from the urban suburban communication system 966,through successive relay sites 972, to a user site. Types of signals mayinclude but are not necessarily limited to mail messages, pictures,photographs, advertisements, communications, news, real-timeentertainment, pre-programmed entertainment, civil defense, and/or anyother type or form of communication which may be reduce to pulsed and/orencrypted LED communication signals. It is anticipated thatcommunication signals may be used as a supplement or replacement tomodes of communication such as mail, e-mail, advertising, billboards,cell phones, telephones, radio, and/or television.

In one embodiment, the third controller 934, and the third LEDillumination sources 936, at the user site may be constructed andarranged to emit responsive communications signals upstream through thesecond receivers 823, of the relay sites 972, for further communicationto the first receivers 819, of the urban suburban communication system966, for processing within the first controller 815. The firstcontroller 815 may identify a designated recipient of the communicationfor generation of a responsive signal downstream, back through a seriesof second receivers 823, for ultimate transition to a particular thirdreceiver 930, at the previously or newly identified or designated usersite.

In one embodiment, each intermediate relay site 972, and user site, isrequired to have a stored identification combination of pulsed LEDcommunication signals to identify an individual address, locationnumber, or global positioning system coordinates. The addresses for eachand every site 972, and/or user site, may be stored within eachrespective second controller 827, and third controller 934,respectively. The first controller 815, second controller 827, and thirdcontroller 934, are preferably computers having microprocessors whichinclude stored translation software to recognize and interpret receivedcommunication signals.

In one embodiment, one set of first controllers 815, second controllers827, and third controllers 934, may exclusively communicate signalsrelated to mail and/or e-mail. Another set of first controllers 815,second controllers 827, and/or third controllers 934, may exclusivelycommunicate signals related to cellular and/or telephone signals. Anynumber of sets of controllers may be utilized as a portion of the urbansuburban communication system 966 to communicate a specific desired typeof information.

In one embodiment, a specific type of communication signal may beassigned exclusively to a particular wavelength of pulsed LED lightcommunication signals. For example, cellular telephones and/or telephonecommunications may be assigned to a specific wavelength associated withan amber color. Radio communications may be assigned to a wavelengthassociated with a blue color. Any desired type of communication may beassigned a specific common wavelength for transmission and receipt ofcommunication signals. The communication signals are not required to beexclusively in the visible spectrum but may also be generated in thenon-visible spectrum.

In one embodiment, the third controller 934 may permit a user to selecta type of display 940 for communication of received pulsed lightsignals. For example, an individual may manipulate the third controller934 for generation of a processed and interpreted communication signalfor display upon a screen, television, stereo, speaker, alarm, and/orflashing or other light. Additionally, the communications as processedby the third controller 934 may not be accessible to a end user withoutentry of security measures to facilitate retrieval such as the use ofpasswords and/or other encryption means.

In one embodiment, the urban suburban communication system 966, relaysites 972, and/or user sites 974, may each include scanners 831 and/ordials as earlier described for detection of transmitted communicationsignals.

In one embodiment, the third controller 934, as integral to a user site,may be utilized to transmit encrypted light signals and/or messages onan emergency basis to a police or fire station. In addition, the thirdcontroller 934 may receive civil defense signals such as severe weatherthrough communication signals.

In one embodiment, the components, features, and applications as earlierdescribed related to the LED pulsed light communication system areequally applicable for use in a vehicle to vehicle application.

In one embodiment, an emergency vehicle 978, may also transmit acommunication signal to a street sign/lamp 926, a building, structure,and/or dwelling 976, a user site, or to a relay site 972, of a urbansuburban communication system 966, to track the location of theemergency vehicle 978, and/or to communicate messages and instructionsthrough the use of pulsed LED communication signals. An emergencyvehicle 978, may emit pre-stored and/or real-time communication signalsto another motor vehicle, aircraft 876, road sign, OPTICOM 942, urbansuburban communication system 966, railroad crossing sign 946, and/orany other application as identified herein. Real-time communications maybe issued through a keyboard, key pad, and/or voice recognition softwareintegral to the emergency vehicle 978.

In one embodiment, the communication system may be incorporated intoother types of vehicles including, but not necessarily limited to,snowplows, roadway construction vehicles, ambulances, and/or fire truckswhich utilize visual lights. (FIG. 37.) In these vehicles a visualsignal light may be generated simultaneously with the emission of apulsed LED light signal.

In one embodiment, communications may be accomplished between a standardmotor vehicle and an emergency vehicle 978, through the emission of apulsed LED communication signal as earlier described. An audible alarmmay be generated requiring an acknowledgment signal by a driver orpassenger in order to terminate the emission of the audible alarm, whichwould trigger issuance of an acknowledgment signal to the emergencyvehicle.

In one embodiment the optical XCVRs of a communication system securitybadge or name tag may be used as an integral portion of an intelligentor artificially intelligent security and identification database systemas utilized within a particular defined security zone or zones. In thisembodiment the security badge or name tag may be used to track theentry, exit and location of individuals, and to identify acceptableprofile parameters for individuals within the security zone.

In one embodiment the optical XCVRs of a user's security badge or nametag communicate with the optical XCVRs. The optical XCVRs may be placedin numerous locations as lighting sources. As shown in FIG. 9, a user isshown with a name tag that is broadcasting and receiving data over anoptical link using the XCVR described in FIG. 1 to a ceiling mountedfixture. The XCVR as integral to a ceiling mounted or other type oflight fixture may in turn be in direct communication with a computer,processor, microprocessor, mainframe computer or server, and/or othercomputing device as earlier described through the use of wire, cable,optically via pulsed light communication, over a Broad Band Power Linesystem or over any other type of communication system.

In one embodiment the intelligent security and database system may beutilized to flag discrepancies related to information accessible andprocessed from a stored and accumulated continuously evolving databaseof information, in order to centrally warn security, surveillance,and/or law enforcement officers as to the existence of a conditionwarranting further investigation.

In one embodiment the intelligent security and identification databasesystem will search and/or screen all security badges or name tags forindividuals entering into a security zone to identify information suchas the name, employment position, employment location, expected hours ofemployment, security clearance for the employee, and expected paths oftravel of the employee within a facility.

In one embodiment the intelligent security and identification databasesystem will record the time, date, and place of entry of an individualhaving a security badge or name tag into, and out of, a secured zone. Inthis embodiment, the recorded information may be compared in real timeto previously recorded conduct or parameters for the individual securitybadge or name tag, to automatically identify discrepancies.Discrepancies which exceed a pre-programmed threshold may be brought tothe attention of security personnel.

In one embodiment the accumulation and storage of information of thetype identified above, will occur within continuously updated andevolving files, to create a database for future reference, to enable lawenforcement, surveillance, and/or security officers to implement profilesearches to identify classes of individuals warranting furtherinvestigation.

In one embodiment a law enforcement, surveillance, and/or securityofficer, desiring to identify individuals within a security zone havinginadequate clearance, would access the accumulated database to inquireas to the identity and location of all individuals within a securityzone. Upon receipt of this inquiry the processor, mainframe computer orserver, associated with the intelligent security and identificationdatabase system may then compare the identified individuals presentwithin the applicable security zone, to the security clearance assignedto each individual, to identify the presence of an individual havinginadequate security clearance.

In one embodiment this process is accomplished by the individualsecurity badge or name tag optical XCVR continuously transmitting apulsed light communication signal for receipt by a series of opticalXCVRs integral to a series of lighting sources, or ceiling mounted lightfixtures, within a building structure. The individual security badge orname tag would transmit through pulsed light communication informationas previously identified as related to an individual's identity,employment occupation, security clearance, and/or primary employmentlocation. In this embodiment, the pulsed light communication signalcould be sequentially detected, received, and tracked by a plurality ofXCVRs which are in continuous communication with the system processor.

In one embodiment a series of XCVRs are in communication with the systemprocessor, mainframe computer or server, through sequential transmissionand receipt of pulsed light communication signals.

In one embodiment the series of XCVRs are in communication with thesystem processor, mainframe computer or server, through the Broad BandOver Power Line Communication System as previously described herein.

In one embodiment the series of XCVRs are in communication with thesystem processor, mainframe computer or server through the use of cable,wire, or other communication media.

In one embodiment, an individual security badge or name tag may beassigned a number which is transmitted within the communication signalto the system processor, mainframe computer or server.

In one embodiment the system processor will continuously record andstore in real time the received pulsed light communication signals forindividual security badges or name tags in one or more system databases,one or more subsystem databases, or individuals specific databases, inorder to establish normal routine parameters for designated locations orareas within a facility. The system processor may be programmed tocompare previously stored data representative of normal routineparameters for a designated location within a facility, to the real timeobserved data for the designated location. The system processorpreferably includes threshold software which may be used to identify anystandard deviations from normal activity occurring within the designatedlocation.

In one embodiment the system processor, mainframe computer or server maycompare individual specific information with information concerning adesignated location, as well as information about employees and/orsupervisors in order to assist in a threshold analysis for indication ofa warning or investigation signal or flag. For example, if an employeeis tracked as accompanying a supervisor into an area where clearance isrequired, and the supervisor is identified as having the appropriateclearance, and the supervisor is identified as having authority toescort an employee not having a designated level of clearance within aparticular zone, then a threshold for identification of requiredinvestigative action may not be met.

In one embodiment the system processor, mainframe computer or server mayidentify individual specific pulsed light communication signals receivedfrom a location outside of an established or normal routine, and outsideof a set level of deviation, for triggering of a investigation advisory.An investigation advisory would issue for a specific location andindividual within a zone or facility.

In one embodiment the communication system may also be used at a checkpoint. Information transmitted from a security badge at a checkpointcould also include motor vehicle information, make, model, and/orlicense plate information for the particular employee. At a facilitycheck point retrieved information could be displayed on a monitor. Thedatabase may also include a photo of the individual associated with thesecurity badge, where all available information could be reviewed by asecurity office prior to entry by into a security zone.

In one embodiment each evolving database and/or mainframe database maybe capable of being continuously updated to include data saved by thecommunication system. Software is preferably loaded onto the computerfor creation of files representative of individuals. Access software maybe used to communicate with internal databases, or external or remotedatabases, and comparison software may be used to review data as relatedto the external and/or internal databases.

In one embodiment, sensitivity software is also used to establishthresholds and to issue/trigger investigation signals, which may bedisplayed on the output device or monitor, and category software may beused to divide data within individual files. In addition, any othersoftware as desired by security and/or law enforcement personnel may beutilized.

In one embodiment, the computer may implement either standard orcustomized queries or searches for defined profiles related toindividuals within the accumulated database for the security zone. Uponidentification of individuals which satisfy the profile criteria, acommunication signal will be generated to advise law enforcement,surveillance, or security zone officers as to the status and location ofthe individuals under investigation. The relative location of targetedindividuals may be identified by proximity to one or more XCVRs asintegral to lighting structures. It is anticipated that each XCVR willhave a coded or digitized identification number which corresponds to aspecific location within an overall communication/security plan for afacility. It is anticipated that each transmission of a communicationpulsed light signal will include a code representative of theoriginating XCVR. Optionally additional intermediate XCVRs may add acommunication pulsed light signal code representative of thetransmitting XCVR.

In one embodiment, the computer may initiate an inquiry to locate theidentification code corresponding to a particular individual. In thisembodiment, the computer would transmit an signal outwardly through theoptically connected XCVRs to request identification of a particularindividual identification code. In one embodiment the inquiry may beglobal, or may be limited to specific periods of time or other specificconditions such as location. In one embodiment each individual XCVR uponreceipt of the command inquiry may forward by pulsed light signals theindividual identification codes of all individuals within a particularlocation, because individual identity codes are being continuouslytransmitted by each individual security badge. In one embodiment theindividual security badge under investigation may beep or generateanother signal to advise the individual that he or she needs to contacta central switchboard for transfer to another individual or for receiptof a message.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database may becoupled to additional identification apparatus or systems including butnot limited to facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, palm printrecognition, voice print recognition, eye scan, and/or signaturerecognition devices/systems which may be coupled to the input devicesfor recording of data to be stored within the system for analysis anddisplay of a monitor.

In one embodiment the communication system including the XCVR may beincorporated into a hand held or portable unit. In some embodiments theportable unit may be clipped onto a belt. In other embodiments thecommunication system may be incorporated into a device such as acellular telephone. In this embodiment the communication system may betransported by a security officer or other designated employee within afacility.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database mayinclude timing and other software which may be used to identify whetheror not a security badge has been stationary for an excessive duration oftime, which in turn would trigger an investigation signal or acommunication signal to the stationary security badge to request anupdate for the status of the individual. The failure of a security badgeto move relative to one or more XCVRs may indicate that a security badgehas been removed by an individual and placed on a surface.Alternatively, the failure of a security badge to move relative to oneor more XCVRs may indicate the existence of a medical problem requiringimmediate attention.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database mayilluminate a pathway on sequential XCVRs representative of the shortestroute to a specific location to assist emergency personnel.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database mayinclude probabilistic analysis software which may be used to assist inthe establishment of threshold levels for issuing a warning orinvestigation signal. In addition the evolving database and/or mainframedatabase may include Principle Component Analysis (PCA) software andEigenvector or Eigenspace decomposition analysis software to assist inthe establishment of thresholds.

In one embodiment upon the detection of any threshold discrepanciesrelated to an individual or security badge, the computer for thecommunication system may issue a flag to a security officer toinvestigate the individual or security badge. The communication systemmay thereby provide enhanced safety to the security zone functioning asa proactive automatic screening system.

In one embodiment the communication system may utilize security badgesin areas such as airports, embassies, hospitals, schools, governmentbuildings, commercial buildings, power plants, chemical plants, garages,and/or any other location for which the monitoring of an individual isdesired.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database maylearn the expected times for arrival and departure of particularindividuals with respect to various zones. Each time an individualenters or exits a security zone, the evolving database and/or mainframedatabase may record in the database the time and location of the arrivalor exit. Thus, over time, the communication system may learn theexpected arrival and departure times based upon the average of apredetermined number of instances, or by the most common of a range ofpredetermined times, such as normal shift times. Thus, if an individualattempts to enter or exit a zone at a time other than the learnedexpected time of entry or exit, the evolving database and/or mainframedatabase may alert security personnel to initiate an investigation.

In one embodiment the evolving database and/or mainframe database may beprogrammed to assign a point system or flag upon the recognition ofcertain data and/or profile characteristics relative to an individualwearing a security badge. In one embodiment the computer will recordand/or track the number of points or flags assigned to a particularindividual. When a certain number of flags and/or points have beenassigned, then the computer will emit or issue a signal to an officer,which may be ranked against other tasks in order of importance. Thecomputer may store any information or data collected pertaining to thetask, as well as the instruction for the task itself in the database.

Over time, in one embodiment the communication system may learn typicalpaths, times and areas where specific individuals spend their time. Thecommunication system may then issue an alert when an individual deviatesfrom an authorized area into an unauthorized zone. For example, if aperson normally may be found on second floor, and the personoccasionally passes through first floor, but have never gone to thefourth floor, then the communication system may alert security personnelif the person is identified as being present on fourth floor. Thepresence of the individual will be detected on the fourth floor due tothe continuous emission of a signal as generated from the securitybadge, and as detected by an XCVR have a location address identified asbeing on the fourth floor. The XCVR detecting the pulsed light signalform the security badge issues a transmission for passage through anumber of optically connected XCVRs for processing and storage at theevolving database and/or mainframe database of the processor.

In one embodiment, if a high level tracking priority is assigned to anindividual, then continuous active tracking via software analysis ofsignals reveived by and as generated from a plurality of XCVRs isdesirable. As such, the system may continually pinpoint the zone, andeven the exact location of a person within the zone.

In one embodiment, the evolving database and/or mainframe database maylearn and recognize repetitive patterns within the accumulated database.Therefore, the computer may assess a low query priority to repetitiveand/or regular patterns, and implement a more expedited search relatedto non-regular pattern data as stored within the accumulated database.Any parameters may be selected for the recognition of patterns within asecurity zone dependent upon individual environmental conditions andcustomized needs at each independent security zone. For example, sixdays of repetitive actions may be required to establish a regularpattern of conduct within a first security zone where two months ofrepetitive conduct may be required to establish a regular pattern withina second security zone.

In one embodiment, during pattern learning, the computer sensitivity maybe established by the initial creation of a file and/or data pertainingto an individual. Next, the input of a desired amount of datarepresentative of repeated actions may be required. The number or amountof data may represent repetitive occurrences. The occurrences may berequired to be within a certain classification, such as all within acertain zone, or all within a certain period of time during the day,such as between 3 and 4 o'clock p.m. The computer may then calculate amean value based upon the recorded data. Alternatively, the recordeddata may be divided into more than one segment and a mean may becalculated for each desired segment. The computer will generallycontinue to store data, and therefore update the pattern, as detected bythe XCVRs. The computer is preferably designed to recalculate a mean forthe data following each additional data entry. The computer may includesensitivity trigger software which as earlier described will identify adesired threshold deviation from the calculated mean, which may be moreor less than one standard deviation from the calculated mean.Alternatively, the sensitivity trigger may be established at a certainpercentage for deviation from the calculated mean. The computercontinually compares the observed occurrence information to thecalculated mean data to determine if investigation signals are requiredto be communicated to law enforcement and/or security officers. In thisrespect, the computer is engaged in updating activities becomes smarterand more efficient in analyzing risk situations over time.

In one embodiment the communication system is preferably proactive andis continuously screening and comparing data being input from the XCVRsfor comparison to the previously stored records within the accumulateddatabase.

An embodiment of a slave clock 3107 combined with optical transmitter3102 and optical detector 3103 is illustrated in FIG. 45. Opticaltransmitter 3102 preferably comprises at least one optical LED, and mostpreferably comprises an RGB LED, designating that the LED includes Red,Green, and Blue which are the primary additive colors from which allother colors including white may be produced. For exemplary purposesonly, optical transmitter 3102 may comprise discrete LEDs of eachprimary color, or may alternatively be a single RGB LED integrated ontoa common die, taking the physical form of a single LED. Furthermore,more than one RGB LED may be integrated upon a single die or within acommon package or optical transmitter 3102, as may be deemed mostappropriate. In practice, there is no limit to the number of RGB LEDsthat may be used, other than physical size and available spacelimitations, and thermal dissipation capacity and power requirementconstraints.

By controlling the relative power applied to each one of the RGB LEDs,different colors may be produced. This concept is well-known as the RGBmodel, and is used today in nearly all video displays. Color televisionsand computer monitors, for example, incorporate very small red, greenand blue (RGB) dots adjacent to each other. To produce white regions onthe screen, all three RGB dots are illuminated. Black dots are theresult of none of the RGB dots being illuminated. Other colors areproduced by illuminating one or more of the dots at different relativelevels, or alternatively controlling how many closely adjacent dots ofone primary color are fully illuminated relatively to the other twoprimary colors. The display of different colors can be used as a part ofa visual signaling system, using particular colors as indicators ofparticular information. As one example, though not limiting the presentinvention in any way, a flashing red optical transmitter 3102 mightsignal a fire drill, while a steady red optical transmitter 3102 mightsignal an actual fire. Any type of condition, such as a tornado, fire,lockdown, or movement may be signaled. With an RGB LED, all colors maybe used and steady versus flashing illumination may be further combined,making the distinguishable set of optical indicators available to asystem designer very large.

While other options exist for producing white light from LEDs, the useof an RGB LED absent of phosphors is preferred for most applications ofthe present invention. Not only is color of the light easily controlledusing well-known RGB technology, but also by their very nature phosphorstend to slow down the rate at which an LED may be illuminated andextinguished due to phosphor latencies. For the purposes of the presentinvention, where an optical communications channel is created usingoptical transmitter 3102, higher data transfer rates may be obtainedwith more rapid control of illumination levels. Consequently, ifphosphors are used in the generation and/or conversion of light, and iffaster data exchange rates through optical communications are desired,these phosphors will preferably be very fast lighting and extinguishing.

Optical detector 3103 may either be a broad spectrum detector oralternatively color-filtered or sensitive to only a single color.Detector 3103 will be any of the many known in the art, the particularselection which will be determined by well-known considerations such assensitivity, reliability, availability, cost and other considerations.

FIG. 46 illustrates a second embodiment slave clock 3107′ combined withoptical receiver 3103 and a different optical transmitter 3104. Where anLED slave clock exists, one or more of the LED segments has thecapability of serving as an optical transmitter 3104. In thisembodiment, more segments are available, but in most cases these LEDsegments will emit only a single color, eliminating the ability to usecolors as a part of visible signaling. Flashing may, however, still beused.

FIG. 47 illustrates by projected environmental view an embodiment of acommunications network incorporating master and slave synchronizedclocks. In accord with a preferred method of the invention, opticaltransmitter LEDs 3102, 3104 are used to transmit one or more kinds ofdata, including identity, location, audio and video information, andvarious data signals. The data signals may arise through communicationswithin a Local Area Network (LAN), sometimes referred to as an Intranet,owing to the common use of such a network entirely within an officespace, building, or business. The data may additionally or alternativelyarise through communication with a Wide Area Network (WAN), commonlydescribing a network coupling widely separated physical locations whichare connected together through any suitable connection, including forexemplary purposes but not solely limited thereto such means as fiberoptic links, T1 lines, Radio Frequency (RF) links including cellulartelecommunications links, satellite connections, DSL connections, oreven Internet connections. Generally, where more public means such asthe Internet are used, secured access will commonly separate the WANfrom general Internet traffic. The data may further arise throughcommunications with the Internet.

The data is introduced at a junction between master clock 3105 and slaveclocks 3107 using a Broadband-over-Power-Line (BPL) transceiver 3106.BPL transceiver 3106 may use circuitry already known in the art, but mayalso further comprise a detector and control which disables datatransfer during ordinary clock synchronization.

The use of an optical communications link provides large availablebandwidth, which in turn permits multiple feeds of personalcommunication between slave clocks 3107 and other light communicationsenabled devices. Optical data is transferred at rates far in excess ofthose detectable by the human eye, and so in many cases a person may notbe able to detect any visible changes as the data is being transferred.Additionally, a plurality of LEDs may be incorporated into an array, andmay be used for a plurality of communications channels. In this case,the likelihood of the plurality all going dark, resulting in visibledifferences in room illumination is reduced. Software may further beincorporated to monitor and predict illumination, and control datatransmissions from one or more streams accordingly to maintain desiredillumination levels. In another embodiment, some of the plurality ofLEDs may be maintained in an on state, while others of the array may beused for data transmission. In these cases, the minimum possibleillumination is that of the on-state LEDs. As may be appreciated, anumber of approaches are available or will be apparent from theforegoing discussion to maintain baseline illumination.

Because optical illumination is constrained by opaque objects such aswalls, the location of an associated device or person can be discernedto a particular room, hallway or other similar space. In contrast, priorart GPS systems and cell phone triangulation techniques are typicallyonly accurate to one or several hundred feet. Horizontally, this priorart precision is adequate for many applications. However, verticallyseveral hundred feet could encompass twenty floors in an office orapartment building. The preferred embodiment, capable of precision to aroom or light fixture, therefore has much more exact pinpointing thanhitherto available. It can locate a person immediately, even in a largearea and/or among a large crowd, and can keep track of a largepopulation simultaneously. The large bandwidth permits video signals tobe integrated, providing the opportunity to create audio-video recordsthat are fixed in time and location.

Since location may be relatively precisely discerned, opticaltransmitter LEDs 3102, 3104 may in one embodiment be configured tochange color, flash, or otherwise be visually changed or manipulated toassist with directional guidance, personnel or intruder identification,energy management, or even to facilitate the meeting and connection ofindividuals.

In other embodiments of the invention, numbers of occupants within aspace may be used not only for anticipating illumination, but also tocontrol operation of other appliances and machinery within the building.Exemplary of this, but not limited thereto, are water and space heatersand coolers, and all other electrical, electro-mechanical orelectrically controllable devices.

In the event of an unauthorized presence, and in accord with anotherembodiment of the invention, the present preferred apparatus may be usedfor detection and location. When a building is dark, in many cases anunauthorized person will rely upon a flashlight to move through thebuilding. Most preferably, optical detector 3103 will detect thisunidentified light source. In such case, since the location of opticaldetector 3103 is known precisely, the location of the unauthorizedperson is also known. Further, even as the unauthorized person movesabout, so the unauthorized person will be tracked by virtue of the lightemitting from the unauthorized person's flashlight. When emergencypersonnel are called to the building, LED optical transmitters 3102,3104 may be used to guide the emergency personnel to the exact locationof the unauthorized person. The emergency personnel may not be limitedto police. As may by now be apparent, ambulance workers as well aspolice would appreciate flashing directional lights because quickeraccess to an emergency scene could potentially save lives. This customguidance system can include red, white or other suitably colored orilluminated lights which may be steady or flashing for emergencysituations.

FIG. 48 illustrates by front environmental view an embodiment of abuilding communication and management system within one room or space3020, using a single slave clock 3107 to communicate with a variety ofdiverse devices through optical LED communication channels. In practice,in a schoolroom or other public building this clock 3107 couldcommunicate with other light communication enabled devices. Forexemplary purposes only, and not limiting thereto, other lightcommunication enabled devices might include: public address system 3108;another clock 3107; a thermostat 3109; fire and smoke alarms 3110 and3111; or a camera 3112. Since these devices are light communicationenabled, they may be controlled and/or monitored. Thus information fromany enabled device can be shared with all other devices on the samenetwork as the clock. Slave clock 3107 communication can further beshared with optically-enabled name tags, telephones, TV and music,Internet, public address, computing devices of all sorts, ranging fromhand-held devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to massivemainframe computers, and including Personal Computers (PCs), printers,network storage devices, other security and safety devices, appliances,HVAC systems, manufacturing machinery, and so forth. Essentially, anydevice which incorporates or can be made to incorporate sufficientelectronic circuitry may communicate with slave clock 3107 to exchangeinformation at any time.

A building's security may further be enhanced through the use of nametags, which a slave clock 3107 can read and communicate with. Theappropriate command signaled from LED optical transmitters 3102, 3104may additionally control door locks. Camera 3112 can broadcast videothrough the optical link, and anything on the clock network can receivethe picture. This would be most useful for recording or broadcast.

Many different conditions or devices may be simultaneously monitoredand/or controlled when they are broadcasting information through thepreferred clock network, because they are operating on a wide-bandwidthoptical link. This information can be used anywhere on the clocknetwork, which includes the other rooms or a central server. Bandwidthmay be limited by existing clock synchronization wiring, but shouldstill be able to provide enough to additionally incorporate videosignals from at least one user, such as a teacher in a classroom.Furthermore, where desired and suitably enabled, all types of data orinformation may be carried through the preferred communications systemsillustrated in the Figures, including but not limited to telephonesignals, television signals, Internet connections, building maintenancewiring such as thermostats, fire alarms, motion detectors, and any otherelectrical or electronic apparatus existing or appearing within the roomor space. Thus, a building need to be wired only for power andsynchronized clocks, saving a huge infrastructure of other wires andfixtures and in turn saving a great deal of money.

While bandwidth may be relatively limited in the case of opensynchronization wiring interspersed with other wires or adjacent toother sources of EMI/RFI, several additional circumstances may pre-existor may be provided to boost the bandwidth of a system designed in accordwith the present invention. In one embodiment, all or manysynchronization wires are shielded within a conduit or other suitableshielding, most preferably for the entire distance between BPLtransceiver 3106 and each slave clock 3107. Such shielding results inthe preferred S-BPL communications channel, which is anticipated to havehigher bandwidth capability than provided with open and unshieldedwires.

Relatively recently, artisans have also proposed using so-called E-linesfor extremely high bandwidth, low attenuation transmission. Suchtransmission schemes are, for exemplary purposes, proposed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,104,107 and 7,009,471, the contents of each which areincorporated by reference for their teachings of high-speedtransmissions over single conductors. While the present invention isfully operational using known or well-established transmissiontechniques and resulting bandwidths, and so is completely independent ofthe whether these E-line transmission techniques work and are applicableor not to the present invention, the present invention furthercontemplates improvements to bandwidth using useful and functionaltransmission techniques and the incorporation of the same whereoperationally suitable.

The usefulness of embodiments of the present invention is illustrated,for example, by smoke alarm 3110. Since it is optically enabled, it canbroadcast to slave clock 3107 the existence of a fire. The location ofslave clock 3107 will preferably be stored, so the location andexistence are both immediately known. Since the whole network is awareof the site of the fire, the nearest personnel can implement evacuationplans. Likewise, public address system 3108 can immediately directtraffic in the event of an emergency.

Camera 3112 provides video feed of the activity in a given room, thusenhancing security. If audio and/or video is enabled, through one ormore personal communications badges or separate wall-mounted cameras3112, the video can be used to capture the last-known conditions of auser or an area. This can be important in the event a disaster strikesthat results in significant destruction of property or life.

Monitoring of thermostat 3109 by the network allows the temperature of aroom to be controlled according to various factors such as outdoortemperature, building temperature, and the number of occupants.

Thus communication, security, and energy/building management are vastlyimproved through the clock with optical transmitter and receiver.

FIG. 49 illustrates by block diagram an electrical schematic of acommunications network incorporating master and slave synchronizedclocks such as illustrated by FIG. 47, but with only one slave clockillustrated therein. Incoming/Outgoing BPL communication 3201 isprovided through a clock synchronization wire, as shown in FIG. 47, fromBPL transceiver 3106. This is the shared electrical circuit.

A BPL transceiver 3202 is provided at clock 3107 to receive and transmitdata from/to the BPL enabled electrical circuit shared by the slaveclocks. The particular interface implemented may vary. Currently anumber of existing interfaces could be used, such as Universal SerialBus (USB), Ethernet, Media Independent Interface (MII), etc, and theparticular choice of interface could further depend on the BPLtransceiver used, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

A micro-controller, microprocessor, ASIC or the like 3203 is providedfor program control that can transmit/receive data to/from BPLcommunication network 3201 through BPL transceiver 3202. Microprocessor3203 in an embodiment may respond to commands received on this network3201 to manipulate enable circuitry 3204, and may also issue commands orsend data to network 3201 if needed. If the transmit portion of enablecircuitry 3204 is enabled, these commands/data will also be passed tothe optical link.

Enable circuitry 3204, through driver circuitry 3205, may in oneembodiment be enabled to turn on or off the LED optical transmitters3102, 3104, as well as change the characteristics of the light, such asbrightness and even color mix when multicolor LEDs are used. This isuseful for things such as an annunciator light or emergency light, whichmay provide a visual indicator for things such as tornado, lock-down,fire, movement, etc. Enable circuitry 3204 may also manipulate theability for BPL communication network 3201 to send and/or receive dataat this clock to or from the optical link.

Driver circuitry 3205 and LED(s) 3206 will pass any signals to theoptical link for other devices designed to communicate with clock 3107.Driver circuitry 3205 may, in the preferred embodiment, simply beappropriate buffering, isolation, modulation or amplification circuitrywhich will provide appropriate voltage and power to adequately drive LEDemitter 3206 into producing a visible light transmission. Exemplary ofcommon driver circuits are operational amplifiers (Op-amps) andtransistor amplifiers, though those skilled in the art of signalconditioning will recognize many optional circuits and components whichmight optionally be used in conjunction with the present invention.Also, it may be desirable to use a modulation scheme with the signal.The transmit circuitry may have to provide a means of modulation in thiscase, also preferably incorporated into driver circuitry 3205. The typeof modulation will be decided using known considerations at the time ofdesign, selected for exemplary purposes from FM, AM, PPM, PDM, PWM,OFDM, and QAM.

Similar to but preferably complementary with the transmission circuitry,receiver circuitry 3207 receives data from the optical link detected byphoto sensor 3208. Receiver circuitry 3207 will appropriately condition,and may further convert a data-bearing electrical signal. As but oneexample of such conversion, receiver circuitry 3207 may additionallydemodulate a data-bearing electrical signal, if the data stream has beenmodulated by an optical host. Suitable buffering, amplification andother conditioning may be provided to yield a received data signal.

In one embodiment, LED 3206 may be illuminated as a night light at lowpower. Where properly enabled with battery back-up or the like, thepreferred embodiment communications such as illustrated in the Figuresmay further provide communications and emergency lighting in the eventof a power failure.

In an embodiment of the invention, an intelligent audio/visualobservation and identification database system may also be coupled tosensors as disposed about a building, relying upon the presentcommunications system transmitting over the synchronization wire of aclock system. The system may then build a database with respect totemperature sensors within specific locations, pressure sensors, motiondetectors, communications badges, phone number identifiers, soundtransducers, and/or smoke or fire detectors. Recorded data as receivedfrom various sensors may be used to build a database for normalparameters and environmental conditions for specific zones of astructure for individual periods of time and dates. A computer maycontinuously receive readings/data from remote sensors for comparison tothe pre-stored or learned data to identify discrepancies therebetween.In addition, filtering, flagging and threshold procedures may beimplemented to indicate a threshold discrepancy to signal an officer toinitiate an investigation. The reassignment of priorities and thestorage and recognition of the assigned priorities occurs at thecomputer to automatically recalibrate the assignment of points or flagsfor further comparison to a profile prior to the triggering of a signalrepresentative of a threshold discrepancy.

The intelligent audio/visual observation and identification databasesystem may also be coupled to various infrared or ultraviolet sensors,in addition to the optical sensors incorporated directly into LEDoptical transmitters 3102, 3104 and optical detectors 3103, and used forsecurity/surveillance within a structure to assist in the earlyidentification of an unauthorized individual within a security zone orthe presence of an intruder without knowledge of the intruder.

The intelligent audio/visual observation and identification databasesystem as coupled to sensors and/or building control systems for abuilding which may be based upon audio, temperature, motion, pressure,phone number identifiers, smoke detectors, fire detectors and firealarms is based upon automatic storage, retrieval and comparison ofobserved/measured data to prerecorded data, in further comparison to thethreshold profile parameters to automatically generate a signal to asurveillance, security, or law enforcement officer.

In addition to being directed to the embodiments described above andclaimed below, the present invention is further directed to embodimentshaving different combinations of the features described above andclaimed below. As such, the invention is also directed to otherembodiments having any other possible combination of the dependentfeatures claimed below.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof; and it is,therefore, desired that the present embodiment be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims canbe combined with each other in other manners within the scope of theinvention such that the invention should be recognized as alsospecifically directed to other embodiments having any other possiblecombination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, forpurposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows shouldbe taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from allprior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependentclaim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within thejurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should bealternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). Injurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, thefollowing dependent claims should each be also taken as alternativelywritten in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependencyfrom a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claimlisted in such dependent claim below.

This completes the description of the preferred and alternateembodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognizeother equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein whichequivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attachedhereto.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive.This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one ofordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individualfigures and described above may be combined or modified for combinationas desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising”means “including, but not limited to”.

What is claimed is:
 1. An LED light and communication system comprising:at least one optical transceiver, the optical transceiver comprising: alight support having at least one light emitting diode and at least onephotodetector attached thereto, the at least one light emitting diodegenerating light in the visible spectrum, said light being observable tothe unaided eyes of an individual, said light comprising a plurality offlashes of light in said visible spectrum, said flashes of said light insaid visible spectrum not being observable to the unaided eyes of anindividual; a processor in communication with the at least one lightemitting diode and the at least one photodetector, the processor beingconstructed and arranged to regulate said plurality of flashes of saidlight in said visible spectrum into at least one communication signal.2. The system of claim 1, the at least one communication signalcomprising at least one data packet, said at least one data packetcomprising global positioning system (GPS) location information.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, the at least one data packet comprising globalpositioning system location information for a destination address of atleast one second optical transceiver.
 4. The system of claim 3, the atleast one data packet further comprising global positioning systemlocation information for an origin address for the at least one opticaltransceiver.
 5. The system of claim 4, the at least one data packetfurther comprising global positioning system location information for atleast one intermediate optical transceiver located between said at leastone optical transceiver and said at least one second opticaltransceiver.
 6. In combination, the system of claim 1 and a broadbandover power line communications system.
 7. The combination of claim 6,comprising a power line bridge.
 8. The combination of claim 7, whereinthe power line bridge comprising an optical transceiver.
 9. Thecombination of claim 8, wherein the power line bridge is in operativecommunication with the at least one optical transceiver.
 10. Thecombination of claim 7, wherein the LED light and communication systemis in communication with an operating system for a structure.
 11. Thecombination of claim 7, wherein the LED light and communication systemis in communication with a security system for a structure.
 12. Thecombination of claim 7, wherein the LED light and communication systemis in communication with a security system for a structure and anoperating system for the structure.
 13. An LED light and communicationsystem comprising: at least three optical transceivers each opticaltransceiver comprising: a light support having at least one lightemitting diode and at least one photodetector attached thereto, the atleast one light emitting diode generating light in the visible spectrum,said light being observable to the unaided eyes of an individual, saidlight comprising a plurality of flashes of said light in said visiblespectrum, said flashes of said light in said visible spectrum not beingobservable to the unaided eyes of an individual; a processor incommunication with said at least one light emitting diode and the atleast one photodetector, the processor being constructed and arranged toregulate said plurality of flashes of said light in said visiblespectrum into at least one communication signal, wherein the at leastone communication signal comprises at least one data packet; and whereinthe at least three optical transceivers are constructed and arranged toallow parallel communication between the optical transceivers.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, the at least one data packet comprising globalpositioning system (GPS) location information, and wherein each of theat least one light emitting diode acts as a separate transmissionchannel.
 15. An LED light and communication system comprising: at leastone optical transceiver, the optical transceiver comprising: a lightsupport having at least one light emitting diode and at least onephotodetector attached thereto, the at least one light emitting diodegenerating light in the visible spectrum, said light being observable tothe unaided eyes of an individual, said light comprising a plurality offlashes of said light in said visible spectrum, said flashes of saidlight in said visible spectrum not being observable to the unaided eyesof an individual; a processor in communication with the at least onelight emitting diode and the at least one photodetector, the processorbeing constructed and arranged to regulate said plurality of flashes ofsaid light in said visible spectrum into at least one communicationsignal; and at least one power line bridge, the at least one bridgebeing in electrical communication with a building's electrical wiring,the at least one power line bridge constructed and arranged todemodulate modulated Internet signals from the electrical wiring, the atleast one power line bridge being in operative communication with the atleast one optical transceiver.
 16. The system of claim 15, the at leastone communication signal comprising at least one data packet.
 17. An LEDlight and communication system comprising: at least one opticaltransceiver, the at least one optical transceiver comprising: at leastone light emitting diode and at least one photodetector attachedthereto, the at least one light emitting diode generating illumination,said illumination comprising a plurality of flashes of illumination,said flashes of illumination not being observable to the unaided eyes ofan individual; a processor in communication with the at least one lightemitting diode and the at least one photodetector, the processor beingconstructed and arranged to regulate said plurality of flashes ofillumination into at least one communication signal, said at least onecommunication signal comprising at least one address.
 18. The system ofclaim 17, the at least one address comprising global positioning system(GPS) location information.
 19. The system of claim 18, the at least onecommunication signal comprising at least one data packet.
 20. The systemof claim 18, further comprising a second optical transceiver, the secondoptical transceiver having a second optical transceiver address, whereinthe at least one communication signal includes global positioning system(GPS) location information for the second optical transceiver address.21. The system of claim 20, further comprising an origin opticaltransceiver, and wherein the at least one communication signal includesglobal positioning system (GPS) location information for the originoptical transceiver.
 22. The system of claim 21, further comprising adestination optical transceiver, wherein the at least one communicationsignal includes global positioning system (GPS) location information forthe destination optical transceiver.
 23. The system of claim 22, whereinthe second optical transceiver is located between the origin opticaltransceiver and the destination optical transceiver.
 24. The system ofclaim 23, wherein the LED light and communication system is incommunication with an operating system for a structure.
 25. The systemof claim 23, wherein the LED light and communication system is incommunication with a security system for a structure.
 26. The system ofclaim 23, wherein the LED light and communication system is incommunication with a security system for a structure and an operatingsystem for the structure.
 27. The system of claim 17, the at least onecommunication signal comprising a destination address, wherein thedestination address includes global positioning system (GPS) locationinformation.
 28. The system of claim 17, the at least one communicationsignal comprising an origin address, wherein the origin address includesglobal positioning system (GPS) location information.
 29. The system ofclaim 17, wherein the LED light and communication system is incommunication with a broadband over power line communications system.30. An LED light and communication system comprising: at least oneoptical transceiver, the optical transceiver comprising: a plurality oflight emitting diodes and at least one photodetector attached thereto,the plurality of light emitting diodes generating illumination, saidillumination comprising a plurality of flashes of illumination, saidflashes of illumination not being observable to the unaided eyes of anindividual; a processor in communication with the plurality of lightemitting diodes and the at least one photodetector, the processor beingconstructed and arranged to regulate said plurality of flashes ofillumination into at least one communication signal, wherein the atleast one communication signal comprises at least one address; andwherein the at least one optical transceiver is constructed and arrangedto allow parallel communication using said plurality of light emittingdiodes.
 31. The system of claim 30, the at least one address comprisingglobal positioning system (GPS) routing information.
 32. The system ofclaim 31, the at least one communication signal comprising at least onedata packet and wherein each of the plurality of light emitting diodesacts as a separate transmission channel.